Validating the Surrogate Reactions Method for Determining $(n,\gamma)$ Cross Sections with the $(d,p\gamma)$ Reaction*

The neutron-capture reaction plays an important role in determining the final abundance pattern of nuclei produced in the r process. However, the $(n,\gamma)$ reaction on the exotic nuclei that participate in the r process cannot be directly measured. It is thus necessary to develop indirect methods for determining these important cross sections. One such technique is the Surrogate Reactions Method (SRM). Recent theoretical advances in modeling the $(d,p)$ reaction [1] and in constraining Hauser-Feshbach calculations of the $(n,\gamma)$ cross section through fits to experimental data [2] have enabled the determination of $(n,\gamma)$ cross sections from $(d,p\gamma)$ reaction data. We will discuss the recent successful effort to benchmark the performance of the SRM with the $^{95}Mo(d,p\gamma)$ reaction.

 [1] G. Potel, F. M. Nunes, and I. J. Thompson, Phys. Rev. C 92, 034611 (2015)

[2] J. E. Escher et al, EPJ Web of Conf. 122, 12001 (2016)