Sn Target Development and First Results From Measurements of Capture Reactions for the γ-Process Using HECTOR

The formation of p-nuclei and their abundances are an important and ongoing study in nuclear astrophysical measurements. To understand and constrain theoretical models on the abundances of p-nuclei, further measurements of important branching points of the γ-process are needed. For this purpose the cross sections of (p,γ) and (α,γ) reactions on ^112,114,116Sn and ¹⁰⁸Pd(p,γ)¹⁰⁹Ag over a combined energy range of E_p=2-5MeV and E_α=5-11.5MeV will be investigated. To cover this wide range of energies in the Gamow Window for these reactions, thin targets around 200-400 μg/cm² are required. The development and characterization of these thin targets for the various Sn isotopes will be discussed in detail. The measurements utilizing these targets will be performed using both the 5U and the FN accelerators at the Nuclear Science Laboratory at the University of Notre Dame. First experimental results obtained using the new targets will be presented.