First Measurement of⁷²Ge(n, ?) at n-TOF

The slow neutron capture process (s-process) is responsible for producing about half of the elemental abundances heavier than iron in the universe. Neutron capture cross sections on stable isotopes are a key nuclear physics input for s-process studies. The72Ge(n, ?) cross section has an important influence on production of isotopes between Ge and Zr during s-process in massive stars and therefore experimental data are urgently required.72Ge(n, ?) was measured at the neutron time-of-flight facility n-TOF (CERN) for the first time at stellar energies. The measurement was performed using an enriched72GeO2sample at a flight path of 185m with a set of liquid scintillation detectors (C6D6). The motivation, experiment and current status of the data analysis are reported.