Abstract
The huge neutron fluxes offer the possibility to use research reactors to produce isotopes of interest, which can be investigated afterwards. An example is the half-lives of long-lived isotopes like 129 I. A direct usage of reactor neutrons in the astrophysical energy regime is only possible, if the corresponding ions are not at rest in the laboratory frame. The combination of an ion storage ring with a reactor and a neutron guide could open the path to direct measurements of neutron-induced cross sections on short-lived radioactive isotopes in the astrophysically interesting energy regime.
Highlights
Almost all of the heavy elements are produced via neutron capture reactions shared between s and r process [1,2,3] and to a very small extent by the i process [4, 5]
Neutron capture cross sections of stable and unstable isotopes are important for neutron-induced nucleosynthesis [3] as well as for technological applications [8]
Ions with energies between 0.1 AMeV and 10 AMeV can be efficiently stored in ion storage rings [10, 11]
Summary
Almost all of the heavy elements are produced via neutron capture reactions shared between s and r process [1,2,3] and to a very small extent by the i process [4, 5]. The neutron-induced nucleosynthesis in stars occurs typically at temperatures between kT = 5 keV and kT = 200 keV. The neutron-energy distribution in reactors is centered around 25 meV. The reaction cross sections at 25 meV are usually not a strong constraint for the reaction cross sections in the keV-regime. The huge neutron fluxes of 1012–1015 n/cm2/s offer the possibility to use research reactors to produce isotopes of interest, which can be investigated afterwards
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
