Cosmic Implications of $ ^{12}\mathrm C(n,\gamma)^{13}\mathrm C$ Reaction: A Nuclear Astrophysical Perspective

Abstract

We have studied a comprehensive work on the neutron capture cross section for $^{12}\mathrm C$ within the relevant astrophysical energy range. Through rigorous R-matrix analysis, we have determined the Maxwellian-averaged cross section to be 11.98$\pm$0.25 $\mu$b at kT=30 keV. This result is about 4 times higher than the thermal neutron capture cross section estimated in the earlier works assuming a $\dfrac{1}{v}$ law. The implications of our findings extend to the region of inhomogeneous big-bang models in nuclear astrophysics, where understanding the behaviour of neutron capture cross sections plays a crucial role in elucidating the intricate processes that shaped the early universe.