The isovector imaginary neutron potential: A key ingredient for the r-process nucleosynthesis

The isovector contribution to the imaginary component of the microscopic optical model potential is adjusted on experimental neutron strength function data. Within the Brückner–Hartree–Fock approximation of Jeukenne–Lejeune–Mahaux, it is shown that experimental data favours a strong isovector component that can have a drastic impact on the radiative neutron capture cross section for neutron-rich nuclei. If confirmed, this result strongly inhibits the resonant capture by exotic nuclei, so that the traditional r-process picture of the fast neutron captures during the nucleosynthesis r-process needs to be revisited in depth.