Constraining the Photon Strength Function of ⁹⁵Zr using the Forward Analysis Method

The photon strength function (PSF) of ⁹⁵Zr has been studied using the Forward Analysis method and the DAPPER total absorption gamma-ray spectrometer, made of 128 BaF₂ crystals. The gamma-ray spectrum from the ⁹⁵Zr compound nuclei (CN) was measured. ⁹⁵Zr was produced by ⁹⁴Zr(d,p) reactions at 8 MeV/u in inverse kinematics at the Texas A&M University Cyclotron. Different PSF and nuclear level density (NLD) models are assumed and used as input for the DICEBOX code to simulate multi-step gamma cascade within the Hauser-Feshbach formalism. The simulated gamma-ray spectra are compared with the measured gamma-ray spectra. Preliminary results show that the gamma-ray spectra from ⁹⁵Zr CN are highly sensitive to the assumed PSF and NLD models. The models that best reproduce the gamma-ray spectra will be presented and resulting neutron capture cross sections will be discussed in comparison with those directly measured using a neutron beam.