Nuclear astrophysics measurements using neutrons

Recently, there has been a resurgence of interest in experimental neutron nuclear astrophysics. New precision abundance determinations, recent changes and improvements in stellar models, and the realization of new ways in which neutron experiments could yield vital nuclear astrophysics data have all contributed to the need for new experiments. New (n,γ) and (n,α) cross-section data are needed for both stable and radioactive nuclides across a broader range of energies and with much higher precision than previously available. With the increase in precision of the (n,γ) data, new inelastic neutron scattering data are needed so that the stellar enhancements of reaction rates measured in the laboratory can be determined. Recent improvements in experimental techniques have made it possible to begin to fulfill these needs. In addition, the extremely high fluxes at the new spallation neutron sources should enable a large expansion in (n,γ) cross-section measurements on relatively short-lived radioactive nuclides as well as on stable nuclides having very small natural abundances