Neutron captures and the $r$-process nucleosynthesis

R. Surman, M. Mumpower, G. C. McLaughlin, R. Sinclair, W. Hix, K. Jones

Published CGS14 (2012)

Simulations of r-process nucleosynthesis require nuclear physics information for thousands of neutron-rich nuclear species from the line of stability to the neutron drip line. While arguably the most important pieces of nuclear data for the r-process are the masses and beta decay rates, individual neutron capture rates can also be of key importance in setting the final r-process abundance pattern. Here we consider the influence of neutron capture rates in forming the $A\sim 80$ and rare earth peaks.

Tags

neutron capture nuclear astrophysics nuclear reactions r-process rare-earth peak NCSU Notre Dame