Single-neutron excitations in $^{96}$Mo from the $^{95}$Mo(d,p) reaction*

Uncertainties in neutron capture cross sections can affect \textit{r}-process nucleo-synthesis at late times. Neutron transfer reactions are important in determining direct neutron capture cross sections and may be a promising surrogate for neutron capture when the desired reaction involves short-lived nuclei. As part of the effort to validate (d,p$\gamma$) as a surrogate for neutron capture, the $^{95}$Mo(d,p) reaction was studied at a cyclotron at Texas A\&M University with a 12.5-MeV deuteron beam. The reaction protons were measured at forward angles of 30-60$^{\circ}$ with the STARS (Silicon Telescope Array for Reaction Studies) array of three segmented Micron S2 silicon detectors to populate discrete states below 5 MeV in excitation. This is the first study of the $^{95}$Mo(d,p) reaction. Angular distributions of protons populating low-spin discrete excitations and a comparison with distorted-wave calculations will be presented.