Experimental cross-section of ¹⁴⁴Sm(p,<i>γ</i>) reaction relevant to astrophysical p-process

The cross sections of 144 Sm(p,y) 145 Eu (T 1/2 =5.93(4) days) reaction have been measured in the astrophysically important energy regime 4.2 - 6.8 MeV using the activation technique. This energy span corresponds to the temperature range of about T 9 =3 to T 9 =4. The molecular deposition technique has been used to prepare 144 Sm 2 O 3 (67% pure) targets of thickness 100- 300 μ g/cm 2 on 25 μm pure aluminum (99.4%) backing. Copper foils were utilised for beam monitoring, and activated targets were investigated using a HPGe detector. The experimental cross sections have been compared to the theoretical predictions by Talys 1.95 with various level density models as well as previously measured data. Talys 1.95 calculation with microscopic level density values and the default optical potential model with γ -ray strength functions predicted measured data very well.