Astrophysically Relevant Neutron Capture near the Border of Stability

The neutron capture cross section on ${}^{26}$Mg was measured in the astrophysically relevant energy region from 25 keV to 220 keV. The experimental results agree well with a calculation using the Direct Capture (DC) model together with systematic folding potentials. This experiment confirms for the ${}^{26}$Mg(n,$\gamma$)${}^{27}$Mg reaction that the DC process is at least comparable to the Compound–Nucleus (CN) process. The reliability of DC calculations is discussed, and we present some ideas for future experiments which could reduce the theoretical uncertainties of DC calculations.