Radiative neutron capture reaction rates for r-process nucleosynthesis
Vinay K. Singh, Joydev Lahiri, Malay Kanti Dey, D. N. Basu
Abstract
Open-access reader
Vinay K. Singh, Joydev Lahiri, Malay Kanti Dey, D. N. Basu
Abstract
Open-access reader
About half of the elements beyond iron are synthesized in stars by rapid-neutron capture process (r-process). The stellar environment provides very high neutron flux in a short time ($\sim$ seconds) which is conducive for the creation of progressively neutron-rich nuclei till the waiting point is reached after which no further neutron capture reactions proceed. At this point such extremely neutron-rich nuclei become stable via $β^-$ decay. A detailed understanding of the r-process remains illusive. In the present work, we explore the radiative neutron-capture (n,$γ$) cross sections and reaction rates around the r-process peak near mass number eighty. The inherent uncertainties remain large in some cases, particularly in case of neutron-rich nuclei. When the low-energy enhancement exists, it results in significant increase in the reaction rate for neutron-capture.
A significance statement is not available in the OpenAlex record.
A contribution statement is not available in the OpenAlex record.
Method details are not available in the OpenAlex metadata.
Findings are not separately available in the OpenAlex metadata.
Limitations are not available in the OpenAlex metadata.
Application details are not available in the OpenAlex metadata.
About half of the elements beyond iron are synthesized in stars by rapid-neutron capture process (r-process). The stellar environment provides very high neutron flux in a short time ($\sim$ seconds) which is conducive for the creation of progressively neutron-rich nuclei till the waiting point is reached after which no further neutron capture reactions proceed. At this point such extremely neutron-rich nuclei become stable via $β^-$ decay. A detailed understanding of the r-process remains illusive. In the present work, we explore the radiative neutron-capture (n,$γ$) cross sections and reaction rates around the r-process peak near mass number eighty. The inherent uncertainties remain large in some cases, particularly in case of neutron-rich nuclei. When the low-energy enhancement exists, it results in significant increase in the reaction rate for neutron-capture.
Key concepts: Neutron capture, r-process, Nucleosynthesis, s-process, Neutron, Physics, Nuclear physics, Nuclear astrophysics