⁹⁶Zr(n,γ) measurement at the n_TOF facility at CERN

The (n,γ) cross section of ⁹⁶Zr has been investigated at the CERN n_TOF spallation neutron source. High resolution time-of-flight measurements using an enriched ZrO₂ sample allowed us to analyze 15 resonances below 40 keV with improved accuracy. On average, the capture widths were found to be 25% smaller than reported in earlier experiments. If complemented with the contribution by direct radiative capture, the derived Maxwellian averaged cross sections are consistent with activation data at kT = 25 keV. The present results confirm the astrophysical implications for the s-process branching at sup>95Zr.