Measurements of $^{152}$Gd(p,$gamma$)$^{153}$Tb and $^{152}$Gd(p,n)$^{152}$Tb reaction cross sections for the astrophysical $gamma$ process

The total cross sections for the $^{152}$Gd(p,$gamma$)$^{153}$Tb and $^{152}$Gd(p,n)$^{152}$Tb reactions have been measured by the activation method at effective center-of-mass energies mbox{$3.47 leq E_mathrm{c.m.}^mathrm{eff}leq 7.94$ MeV} and mbox{$4.96 leq E_mathrm{c.m.}^mathrm{eff} leq 7.94$ MeV}, respectively. The targets were prepared by evaporation of 30.6% isotopically enriched $^{152}$Gd oxide on aluminum backing foils, and bombarded with proton beams provided by a cyclotron accelerator. The cross sections were deduced from the observed $gamma$-ray activity, which was detected off-line by a HPGe detector in a low background environment. The results are presented and compared with predictions of statistical model calculations. This comparison supports a modified optical proton+$^{152}$Gd potential suggested earlier.