Neutron capture studies on difficult isotopes — experiments, theory, and astrophysics Original Research Article

The status of the relevant cross section data for neutron capture nucelosynthesis remains unsatisfactory mainly for three subgroups of isotopes, those that are unstable, rare, or exhibit very small cross sections. Recent attempts for improving this situation are outlined both from the experimental and the theoretical side, with emphasis on the particular prospects of spallation neutron sources. In combination with advanced detector concepts, the very high fluxes of these facilities provide a unique possibility for investigating numerous difficult and hitherto inaccessible cases. These results will have a direct impact on questions concerning stellar evolution, cosmochronometry, and galactic chemical evolution.