Neutron capture in neodymium isotopes: implications for the s-process

The neutron capture cross sections of six neodymium isotopes were measured in the energy range from 3 to 225 keV using the Karlsruhe 4π Barium Fluoride Detector. The obtained uncertainty of 1-2% is an improvement by factors of five compared to previous measurements. Stellar capture cross sections were calculated for thermal energies between kT = 10 and 100 keV. These new data allow a detailed analysis of the s-process branchings at 141Ce and 142Pr which are determining the abundance of the s-only isotope 142Nd. The s-process abundance pattern of the six isotopes is in perfect agreement with isotopic anomalies found in the Murchison meteorite. (orig.)