Competition between $(\gamma,p)$ and $(\gamma,n)$ photo-disintegration yields

Abstract

A comprehensive analysis of the competition between photo-proton and photo-neutron disintegration yields is undertaken by constraining photo-absorption data with physics principles -- namely, dipole sum rules, decay properties to open channels, isospin selection rules and statistical evaporation from compound nucleus formation. The trend and magnitude of disintegration yields for self-conjugate nuclei are in agreement with the evaporation model of Blatt and Weisskopf. A substantial improvement is found between the exponential trend presented in this work and that determined by Morinaga using a similar approach. This work allows for the evaluation of frequently missing or inconsistent photo-proton contributions, which impacts the photo-disintegration of light and neutron-deficient nuclei, where photo-proton contributions are relevant.