First Measurement of the 96^{96}Ru(p,γγ)97^{97}Rh Cross Section for the p-Process with a Storage Ring

This work presents a direct measurement of the $^{96}$Ru(p, ____gamma)$^{97}$Rh cross section via a novel technique using a storage ring, which opens opportunities for reaction measurements on unstable nuclei. A proof-of-principle experiment was performed at the storage ring ESR at GSI in Darmstadt, where circulating $^{96}$Ru ions interacted repeatedly with a hydrogen target. The $^{96}$Ru(p, ____gamma)$^{97}$Rh cross section between 9 and 11 MeV has been determined using two independent normalization methods. As key ingredients in Hauser-Feshbach calculations, the ____gamma-ray strength function as well as the level density model can be pinned down with the measured (p, ____gamma) cross section. Furthermore, the proton optical potential can be optimized after the uncertainties from the ____gamma-ray strength function and the level density have been removed. As a result, a constrained $^{96}$Ru(p, ____gamma)$^{97}$Rh reaction rate over a wide temperature range is recommended for $p$-process network calculations

Ground-state configuration of neutron-rich Aluminum isotopes through Coulomb breakup

Neutron-rich 34,35Al isotopes have been studied through Coulomb excitation using LAND-FRS setup at GSI, Darmstadt. The method of invariant mass analysis has been used to reconstruct the excitation energy of the nucleus prior to decay. Comparison of experimental CD cross-section with direct breakup model calculation with neutron in p3/2 orbital favours 34Al(g.s) - νp3/2 as ground state configuration of 35Al. But ground state configuration of 34Al is complicated as evident from γ-ray spectra of 33Al after Coulomb breakup of 34Al. © Owned by the authors, published by EDP Sciences, 2014