Measurement of the (gamma, n) cross section of the nucleus Au-197 close above the reaction threshold

Abstract

The cross section and the astrophysical reaction rate of the reaction Au-197(gamma,n)Au-196 have been measured close above the reaction threshold at E-thr = 8.071 MeV using the method of photoactivation. The results are compared to those of several previous measurements as well as to theoretical calculations. The relevance of the reaction Au-197(gamma,n)Au-196 as a standard for photoactivation experiments is discussed