Neutron capture reaction rates using shell model nuclear level densities.*

The exploration of elemental abundances requires knowledge of the nuclear properties of thousands of neutron-rich nuclides. Despite advances in experimental facilities, the properties of neutron-rich nuclei with shorter half-lives must be predicted through models. Among the pieces of nuclear data that significantly impact the predicted elemental abundances are neutron capture rates. In lieu of experimental measurements that provide these rates, models of nuclear level densities are used (among other nuclear physics inputs) to model these rates. Here, we present calculations of neutron-capture reaction cross-sections and reaction rates for A ≈ 56 nuclei using shell model nuclear level densities. The reliability of the implemented nuclear level densities is assessed through comparisons with results derived using other nuclear level density models and existing neutron-capture reaction rate data.