Sensitivity studies for the main r process: β-decay rates
The pattern of isotopic abundances produced in rapid neutron capture, or r-process, nucleosynthesis is sensitive to the nuclear physics properties of thousands of unstable neutron-rich nuclear species that participate in the process. It has long been recognized that the some of the most influential...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
AIP Publishing LLC
2014-02-01
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| Series: | AIP Advances |
| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.4867192 |
| _version_ | 1819131778248474624 |
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| author | M. Mumpower J. Cass G. Passucci R. Surman A. Aprahamian |
| author_facet | M. Mumpower J. Cass G. Passucci R. Surman A. Aprahamian |
| author_sort | M. Mumpower |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The pattern of isotopic abundances produced in rapid neutron capture, or r-process, nucleosynthesis is sensitive to the nuclear physics properties of thousands of unstable neutron-rich nuclear species that participate in the process. It has long been recognized that the some of the most influential pieces of nuclear data for r-process simulations are β-decay lifetimes. In light of experimental advances that have pushed measurement capabilities closer to the classic r-process path, we revisit the role of individual β-decay rates in the r process. We perform β-decay rate sensitivity studies for a main (A > 120) r process in a range of potential astrophysical scenarios. We study the influence of individual rates during (n, γ)-(γ, n) equilibrium and during the post-equilibrium phase where material moves back toward stability. We confirm the widely accepted view that the most important lifetimes are those of nuclei along the r-process path for each astrophysical scenario considered. However, we find in addition that individual β-decay rates continue to shape the final abundance pattern through the post-equilibrium phase, for as long as neutron capture competes with β decay. Many of the lifetimes important for this phase of the r process are within current or near future experimental reach. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-22T09:20:55Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-db92f1e3a4394ec6abdc3f41715352a9 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2158-3226 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-22T09:20:55Z |
| publishDate | 2014-02-01 |
| publisher | AIP Publishing LLC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | AIP Advances |
| spelling | doaj.art-db92f1e3a4394ec6abdc3f41715352a92022-12-21T18:31:11ZengAIP Publishing LLCAIP Advances2158-32262014-02-0144041009041009-1310.1063/1.4867192009492ADVSensitivity studies for the main r process: β-decay ratesM. Mumpower0J. Cass1G. Passucci2R. Surman3A. Aprahamian4Department of Physics, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, USADepartment of Physics, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, USADepartment of Physics, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, USADepartment of Physics & Astronomy, Union College, Schenectady, New York 12308, USADepartment of Physics, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, USAThe pattern of isotopic abundances produced in rapid neutron capture, or r-process, nucleosynthesis is sensitive to the nuclear physics properties of thousands of unstable neutron-rich nuclear species that participate in the process. It has long been recognized that the some of the most influential pieces of nuclear data for r-process simulations are β-decay lifetimes. In light of experimental advances that have pushed measurement capabilities closer to the classic r-process path, we revisit the role of individual β-decay rates in the r process. We perform β-decay rate sensitivity studies for a main (A > 120) r process in a range of potential astrophysical scenarios. We study the influence of individual rates during (n, γ)-(γ, n) equilibrium and during the post-equilibrium phase where material moves back toward stability. We confirm the widely accepted view that the most important lifetimes are those of nuclei along the r-process path for each astrophysical scenario considered. However, we find in addition that individual β-decay rates continue to shape the final abundance pattern through the post-equilibrium phase, for as long as neutron capture competes with β decay. Many of the lifetimes important for this phase of the r process are within current or near future experimental reach.http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.4867192 |
| spellingShingle | M. Mumpower J. Cass G. Passucci R. Surman A. Aprahamian Sensitivity studies for the main r process: β-decay rates AIP Advances |
| title | Sensitivity studies for the main r process: β-decay rates |
| title_full | Sensitivity studies for the main r process: β-decay rates |
| title_fullStr | Sensitivity studies for the main r process: β-decay rates |
| title_full_unstemmed | Sensitivity studies for the main r process: β-decay rates |
| title_short | Sensitivity studies for the main r process: β-decay rates |
| title_sort | sensitivity studies for the main r process β decay rates |
| url | http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.4867192 |
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