Gamma Strength Function for {\it p}-process Nucleosynthesis Calculations

The Gamma Strength Function (GSF) is a key component for calculating photodisintegration reaction rates used for the {\it p}-process modeling. During the {\it p}-process, the nucleus can be thermally excited lowering the effective threshold of photodisintegration. To calculate the reaction rates for excited states, the GSF is taken from an extrapolation of the low-energy tail of the giant dipole resonance. A new technique for determining the GSF using nuclear resonance flourescence was developed, and measurements were taken for $^{142}$Nd and $^{150}$Nd at E$_{\gamma}$= 4 -- 9 MeV. The experiment was done at the HIGS facility using a polarimeter consisting of four clover detectors. The results will be presented, and the impact on {\it p}-process calculations will be discussed.