The stellar capture rate of 208Pb

High resolution neutron capture measurements of a highly enriched 208Pb sample were carried out at the GELINA pulsed neutron facility and the capture areas of twelve resonances in the range 1–400 keV were determined. From these values the Maxwellian‐averaged cross section 〈σ〉 was calculated vs kT from 5 to 100 keV. After adding the estimated direct capture contribution, our results agree with those of previous activation measurements but are a factor or two lower than the Oak Ridge neutron capture data. The reason for such a discrepancy was singled out.