Experiments on photon - induced reactions for p - process nucleosynthesis ∗

Photodesintegration rates – like (γ ,n), (γ ,p), and (γ ,α) – play an important role in the nucleosynthesis of the so-called p nuclei. These proton-rich, in general very low-abundant isotopes cannot be produced by neutron capture reactions. Experiments using continuous-energy bremsstrahlung and the activation technique are perfectly suited to carry out systematic surveys on (γ ,n) reactions. In addition, single cases can be studied in more detail using energy-resolved methods as provided by photon sources based on the principle of Laser-Compton backscattering or photon tagging. An overview about current results on photon-induced reactions and recent instrumental developments is given.