Neutron capture process in astrophysics

Abstract

The development of the field of study of neutron capture processes in astrophysics is reviewed as a gradual evolution of improving microscopic input nuclear physics coupled with more sophisticated stellar models and computational technology. Particular emphasis is placed on discussion of contemporary scenarios for the stellar environments responsible for the nucleosynthesis of heavy nuclei. The division into slow (s-process) and rapid (r-process) nucleosynthesis regimes is described and the evolution toward scenarios which involve neutron fluxes intermediate between these two extremes is discussed. Uncertainties in the theories and input physics are highlighted.