Measurement of capture reaction cross-section of (p, γ), (p, n) and (p, α) reactions on ¹⁹⁶Hg at astrophysically relevant energies

The p-nuclei (proton-rich nuclei) are among the rarest of all the known stable nuclei. The astrophysical processes responsible for the synthesis of p-nuclei are not fully understood despite the efforts made since late 1950s. Of the 35 known p-nuclei, the heaviest is ¹⁹⁶Hg. The synthesis of ¹⁹⁶Hg is studied through the method of activation using (p, γ), (p, n) and (p, α) reactions. A mono-energetic beam of proton is incident on a homogeneously thin, solid HgS (mercury sulfide) target of ~10 mg/cm² thickness and capture reaction cross-sections are measured for each reactions mentioned above. The specific kind of mercury target required has been developed through utilizing a casting method. The production methods as well as the experimental method resulting in a self-calibrating activation experiment are described.