A Neutron-Capture Theory of the Formation and Relative Abundance of the Elements

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Abstract
There exists an inverse relationship between the relative abundance of nuclear species in the universe and the neutron-capture cross sections of these nuclei. Abundant nuclei have small capture cross sections, and vice versa. On the basis of this correlation, a non-equilibrium theory of the formation of the elements is developed in which the elements are built up by a process of successive neutron captures. The coefficients in the equations of this theory involve the neutron-capture cross sections of the elements, and for this reason relationships between capture cross sections, atomic weights, and neutron energies are obtained from available data.

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