Proton induced reaction on ${}^{108}$Cd for astrophysical p-process studies

Abstract

The proton capture cross-section of the least abundant proton-rich stable isotope of cadmium, ${}^{108}$Cd (abundance 0.89\%), has been measured near the Gamow window corresponding to a temperature range of 3-4 GK. The measurement of the ${}^{108}$Cd(p,${\hat{I}}^3$)${}^{109}$In reaction was carried out using the activation technique. The cross-section at the lowest energy point of 3T${}_9$, E${}_p$${}^{lab}$= 2.28 MeV, has been reported for the first time. The astrophysical S-factor was measured in the energy range relevant to the astrophysical p-process, between E${}_p$${}^{cm}$= 2.29 and 6.79 MeV. The experimental results have been compared with theoretical predictions of Hauser-Feshbach statistical model calculations using TALYS-1.96. A calculated proton-optical potential was implemented to achieve better fitting, with different combinations of available nuclear level densities (NLDs) and ${\hat{I}}^3$-ray strength functions in TALYS-1.96. The calculations provided satisfactory agreement with the experimental results. The reaction rate was calculated using the calculated potential in TALYS-1.96 and compared with the values provided in the REACLIB database.