Cross section measurement of the <mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"><mml:mrow><mml:mmultiscripts><mml:mi>Sm</mml:mi><mml:mprescripts /><mml:none /><mml:mn>144</mml:mn></mml:mmultiscripts><mml:mo>(</mml:mo><mml:mi>α</mml:mi><mml:mo>,</mml:mo><mml:mi>n</mml:mi><mml:mo>)</mml:mo><mml:mmultiscripts><mml:mi>Gd</mml:mi><mml:mprescripts /><mml:none /><mml:mn>147</mml:mn></mml:mmultiscripts></mml:mrow></mml:math> reaction for studying the <mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/…

Nuclear reactions involving alpha particles play an important role in various astrophysical processes such as the gamma-process of heavy element nucleosynthesis. The poorly known low-energy alpha-nucleus optical (AOMP) potential is a key parameter to estimate rates these reactions. AOMP can be tested by measuring cross section alpha-scattering well alpha-induced Low energy elastic on 144Sm has recently been measured with high precision. aim present work was complement that (a,n) sections at low energies. experimental data shall used constrain AOMP. From this 144Sm(a,g)148Gd reaction rate derived reduced uncertainties. 144Sm(a,n)147Gd studied bombarding Sm targets alpha-beams provided cyclotron accelerator Atomki. determined using activation method. gamma-radiation following decay 147Gd product HPGe detector. are analyzed within statistical model. alpha-energy range between 13 and 20 MeV 1 steps, i.e., from close above threshold. results were compared model calculations approaches parametrizations for AOMP, excellent agreement obtained two recent potentials. However, potentials cannot reproduce literature same accuracy. Constraints analysis new 144Sm(a,g)148Gd. These constraints enable determination significantly uncertainties less than factor two.