What the study found
The study found that uncertainties in s-process isotopic abundances can make some r-process residuals significantly uncertain. It also identified a short list of isotopes that are good candidates for improved neutron-capture measurements.
Why the authors say this matters
The authors conclude that refining key neutron-capture cross sections could improve the r-process isotopic abundance pattern used as a benchmark in stellar models of explosive nucleosynthesis. They also say the work provides a practical way to prioritize future experiments at CERN n_TOF, a neutron time-of-flight facility used for measuring neutron-capture reactions.
What the researchers tested
The researchers revisited how r-process residuals are derived by using updated solar abundances, s-process contributions, and a simplified approach to estimate uncertainty. They assumed that relative uncertainty in s-process isotopic abundances scales linearly with Maxwellian Averaged Cross Section (MACS) uncertainties from the KADoNiS data library.
What worked and what didn't
Using this approach, they identified a subset of isotopes for which the r-process residuals remain significantly uncertain. They also produced a short list of isotopes that they say are prime candidates for future (n,γ) measurements, where (n,γ) means neutron-capture reactions that emit gamma rays.
What to keep in mind
The abstract describes a simplified uncertainty treatment, so the results are framed as a practical prioritization rather than a full reanalysis. The available summary does not give the specific isotope list or detail any experimental outcomes.
Key points
- Uncertainties in s-process abundance estimates propagate into r-process residuals.
- The authors used updated solar abundances and published s-process contributions.
- They linked abundance uncertainty to MACS uncertainties from KADoNiS.
- A subset of isotopes was identified as having significantly uncertain r-process residuals.
- The study proposes targets for future neutron-capture measurements at CERN n_TOF.
Disclosure
- Research title:
- Uncertain neutron-capture data affect r-process abundance estimates
- Authors:
- C. Domingo-Pardo, C. Lederer-Woods, A. Mengoni
- Institutions:
- European Organization for Nuclear Research, Instituto de Física Corpuscular, Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, Sezione di Bologna, National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development, Universitat de València, University of Edinburgh
- Publication date:
- 2026-04-27
- OpenAlex record:
- View
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