Assessment of Neutron-Gamma Reactions on Barium Isotopes in Neutron-Rich Stellar Environments: A TALYS Theoretical Calculation and EXFOR Experimental Data Comparative Analysis

Nucleosynthesis in neutron-rich stellar environments is where most of the elements above iron are created. One of the processes in these environments is the intermediate neutron capture process, or i-process. Of particular interest for the i-process are neutron capture reactions on barium isotopes; some of these neutron capture rates have been experimentally measured. Here I employ the TALYS nuclear reaction code to theoretically calculate these reaction rates, allowing for a comparison with the experimental data obtained.

Here I perform a comparative analysis of experimental data from the EXFOR database, a comprehensive repository of experimental nuclear reaction data, with theoretical calculations done in TALYS. By comparing our theoretical TALYS calculations with this extensive dataset, we validate and expand our understanding of neutron-gamma reactions involving stable barium isotopes.

By comparing different theoretical models in our TALYS calculations to experimental data, we hope to illuminate which theoretical models are most accurate and which will be best to use in the calculation of reaction rates that have not yet been measured. This study provides valuable insights into the fundamental processes occurring in stellar environments as well as trends in the nuclear theory used to model these stellar environments.