## The role of nuclear fission in $r$-process nucleosynthesis

### LBNL seminar, Berkeley, CA

Invited presentation on 04/2019

August 2017 marked the first observation of gravitational waves and electromagnetic signals from the merging of two neutron stars sending ripples through the astrophysics, atomic physics, nuclear physics and gravitational wave communities. In some components of neutron star merger ejecta, fission, or the splitting of a heavy element into smaller fragments, is thought to re-cycle the material and impact the resultant abundances. I will discuss the fission properties that arise from a careful study of the Finite-Range Liquid-Drop Model (FRLDM), covering the treatment of neutron-induced fission, beta-delayed fission and fission yields. The production of Californium-254 and its special role in influencing the light curve of mergers will also be discussed.

LA-UR-19-22694

### Related Publications

Year Authors Title (Click for more details) Journal (PDF)
2019 N. Vassh, R. Vogt, R. Surman, J. Randrup, et al. Using excitation-energy dependent fission yields to identify key fissioning nuclei in r-process nucleosynthesis J. Phys. G 46 065202
2018 M. Mumpower, T. Kawano, T. M. Sprouse, N. Vassh, et al. $\beta$-delayed fission in $r$-process nucleosynthesis ApJ 869 1
2018 B. Côtè, C. L. Fryer, K. Belczynski, O. Korobkin, et al. The origin of r-process elements in the Milky Way ApJ 855 2
2015 P. Möller, A. Sierk, T. Ichikawa, A. Iwamoto, et al. Fission barriers at the end of the chart of nuclides Phys. Rev C 91 024310

## Mail

Matthew Mumpower
Los Alamos National Lab
MS B283
TA-3 Bldg 123
Los Alamos, NM 87545