$^{151}Sm(n,\gamma )$ studies at nTOF (CERN)

We report on preliminary results of the /sup 151/Sm(n, gamma ) cross section measurement performed at the n_TOF facility at CERN. The cross section is relevant for characterizing the astrophysical site of the s process as well as for determining the contribution of this unstable fission product (t/sub 1/2/ = 93 yr) to the hazard of radioactive wastes. After a short description of the experimental set-up, the procedures of data analysis are illustrated. At low energies we have extracted the resonance parameters by means of the SAMMY code while in the unresolved resonance region Maxwellian averaged cross sections are reported.