Benchmarking the extraction of statistical neutron capture cross sections on short-lived nuclei*

Neutron-capture rates on short-lived rare isotopes are required input into a number of physical processes; one such example is the astrophysical r-process. The recent LIGO and Virgo gravitational-wave detection of a direct signal from two colliding neutron stars combined with the wealth of follow-up measurements across the electromagnetic spectrum demonstrated that an r-process had occurred during the collision.  Despite knowing at least one location for the r-process, many questions remain.  The uncertainties in the nuclear physics inputs, such as neutron-capture rates, present a large barrier to accurately model the r-process abundances in large-scale nucleosynthesis calculations.  Neutron-capture rates are difficult to measure and theoretical predictions range over orders of magnitude far from stability.  The β-Oslo method is an indirect technique to determine neutron-capture rates and the present work will present the results of the ⁵⁰Ti neutron-capture cross section extracted following the β decay of ⁵¹Sc.  The inferred cross section will be compared to the directly measured ⁵⁰Ti neutron capture cross section.