Measurement of Cu 63,65 (n,γ) Cu 64,66 and Co 59 (n,γ) Co 60 Maxwellian-averaged neutron-capture cross sections

Knowledge of the neutron capture of copper and cobalt isotopes is important for the understanding of abundances of the heavier elements produced via the weak s process. There are considerable discrepancies for the Cu63(n,γ)Cu64 and Cu65(n,γ)Cu66 cross-section values in the literature. New measurements of these cross sections were performed at the SARAF phase I facility using a high-power quasi-Maxwellian neutron source produced by irradiation of the liquid-lithium target (LiLiT) with an intense continuous-wave proton beam. The cross sections were measured by counting the activity of the irradiated targets. The measurement allowed us to evaluate the Cu63(n,γ)Cu64, Cu65(n,γ)Cu66, and Co59(n,γ)Co60 Maxwellian averaged cross sections at 30 keV, obtaining values of 70.4±1.8exp±2.4syst, 26.8±1.5exp±1.0syst, and 38.1±0.9exp±0.9systmb, respectively. The results are compared with previous measurements in the literature.