Improved Mo 94 neutron resonance parameters from neutron capture and transmission measurements at n_TOF and GELINA

We report high-resolution measurements of the 94 Mo (n, γ) 95 Mo cross section in the neutron energy range from a few eV up to about 250 keV, performed at the n_TOF facility (CERN), and of the 94 Mo (n, tot) cross section up to 32 keV, measured at GELINA (JRC Geel). A combined R-matrix analysis of capture and transmission data yields significantly improved neutron-resonance parameters for 94 Mo. A total of 186 resonances were observed in this analysis of which 127 reported here for the first time. The resulting Maxwellian-averaged cross section at stellar temperatures relevant to the slow neutron-capture process (s-process) is approximately 25% lower than previous evaluations and literature values. To assess the astrophysical impact of the revised cross section, we performed s-process nucleosynthesis calculations for low-mass asymptotic giant branch stars. Despite the substantial reduction in the 94 Mo (n, γ) 95 Mo rate, the final yields vary by only 3-4%. This demonstrates that the isotopic budget of 94 Mo in AGB stars is primarily governed by the branching flow at 94 Nb rather than by the neutron-capture destruction on 94 Mo itself. The new cross section thus helps disentangle nuclear cross-section uncertainties from branching-flow effects in the s-process production of 94 Mo.