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Measurement of the 187Re(α,n)190Ir reaction cross section at sub-Coulomb energies using the Cologne Clover Counting Setup

Uncertainties in adopted models of particle+nucleus optical-model potentials directly influence the accuracy in the theoretical predictions of reaction rates as they are needed for reaction-network calculations in, for instance, γ-process nucleosynthesis. The improvement of the α+nucleus optical-model potential is hampered by the lack of experimental data at astrophysically relevant energies especially for heavier nuclei. Measuring the Re187(α,n)Ir190 reaction cross section at sub-Coulomb energies extends the scarce experimental data available in this mass region and helps understanding the energy dependence of the imaginary part of the α+nucleus optical-model potential at low energies. Applying the activation method, after the irradiation of natural rhenium targets with α-particle energies of 12.4 to 14.1 MeV, the reaction yield and thus the reaction cross section were determined via γ-ray spectroscopy by using the Cologne Clover Counting Setup and the method of γγ coincidences. Cross-section values at five energies close to the astrophysically relevant energy region were measured. Statistical model calculations revealed discrepancies between the experimental values and predictions based on widely used α+nucleus optical-model potentials. However, an excellent reproduction of the measured cross-section values could be achieved from calculations based on the so-called Sauerwein-Rauscher α+nucleus optical-model potential. The results obtained indicate that the energy dependence of the imaginary part of the α+nucleus optical-model potential can be described by an exponential decrease. Successful reproductions of measured cross sections at low energies for α-induced reactions in the mass range 141{\leq}A{\leq}187 confirm the global character of the Sauerwein-Rauscher potential.