Measurement of the 90,91,92,93,94,96-Zr(n,gamma) and 139-La(n,gamma) cross sections at n TOF

Abstract

Neutron capture cross sections of Zr and La isotopes have important implications in the field of nuclear astrophysics as well as in the nuclear technology. In particular the Zr isotopes play a key role for the determination of the neutron density in the He burning zone of the Red Giant star, while the 139La is important to monitor the s-process abundances from Ba up to Pb. Zr is also largely used as structural materials of traditional and advanced nuclear reactors. The nuclear resonance parameters and the cross section of 90,91,92,93,94,96Zr and 139La have been measured at the n TOF facility at CERN. Based on these data the capture resonance strength and the Maxwellian-averaged cross section were calculated.