Astrophysical relevance of the low-energy dipole strength of Pb-206

The dipole strength of 255Pb was studied below the neutron separation energy using photon scattering experiments at the HIGS facility. Utilizing the technique of nuclear resonance fluorescence with 100% linearly -polarized photon beams, the spins, parities, branching ratios and decay widths of excited states in "uPb from 4.9-8.1 MeV have been measured. The new experimental information is used to reliably predict the neutron capture cross section of Pb-205, an important branch point nucleus along the s-process path of nucleosynthesis.