Coulomb dissociation of \(^{20,21}\)N

Neutron-rich light nuclei and their reactions play an important role for the creation of chemical elements. Here, data from a Coulomb dissociation experiment on \(^{20,21}\)N are reported. Relativistic \(^{20,21}\)N ions impinged on a lead target and the Coulomb dissociation cross section was determined in a kinematically complete experiment. Using the detailed balance theorem, the \(^{19}\mathrm{N}(\mathrm{n},\gamma)^{20}\mathrm{N}\) and \(^{20}\mathrm{N}(\mathrm{n},\gamma)^{21}\mathrm{N}\) excitation functions and thermonuclear reaction rates have been determined. The \(^{19}\mathrm{N}(\mathrm{n},\gamma)^{20}\mathrm{N}\) rate is up to a factor of 5 higher at \(T