The neutron direct radiative capture (DRC) process is investigated, highlighting the role of incident p-wave neutrons. A set of calculations is shown for the ${}_{}{}^{12}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{C}$(n,γ) process at incoming neutron energies up to 500 keV, a crucial region for astrophysics. The cross section for neutron capture leading to loosely bound s, p, and d orbits of ${}_{}{}^{13}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{C}$ is well reproduced by the DRC model demonstrating the feasibility of using this reaction channel to study the properties of nuclear wave functions on and outside the nuclear surface. A sensitivity analysis of the results on the neutron-nucleus interaction is performed for incident s- as well as p-waves. It turned out that the DRC cross section for p-wave neutrons is insensitive to this interaction, contrary to the case of incident s-wave neutrons.

• Received 25 July 1995

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevC.52.R2334