Towards in-beam ( α , γ ) cross section measurements for the astrophysical γ -process

The activation technique has proven to be a very successful tool in measuring charged particle induced reaction cross sections relevant for the astrophysical γ-process. This method is, however, only applicable when the product nucleus of the reaction is radioactive and its decay can well be measured. In other cases the technically much more challenging in-beam measurements are inevitable. Here we present the first steps of a new research program aiming at the in-beam measurements of (α, γ) cross sections. As a first test case, the study of the 116Sn(α,γ)120Te reaction has been started.