Stellar neutron capture reactions at low and high temperature

The determination of astrophysical reaction rates requires different approaches depending on the conditions in hydrostatic and explosive burning. The focus here is on astrophysical reaction rates for radiative neutron capture reactions. Relevant nucleosynthesis processes not only involve the s-process but also the i-, r- and gamma-processes, which from the nuclear perspective mainly differ in the relative interaction energies of neutrons and nuclei, and in the nuclear level densities of the involved nuclei. Emphasis is put on the difference between reactions at low and high temperature. Possible complications in the prediction and measurement of these reaction rates are illustrated and the connection between theory and experiment is addressed.

Automated summary

This article discusses the methods for determining astrophysical reaction rates under different conditions, with a focus on the rates of radiative neutron capture reactions. The article also explains the differences between various nucleosynthesis processes, including the s-process, i-process, r-process, and gamma-process, emphasizing the variations in interaction energies and nuclear level densities at low and high temperatures.