469 research outputs found

    Changes in r-process abundances at late times

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    We explore changes in abundance patterns that occur late in the r process. As the neutrons available for capture begin to disappear, a quasiequilibrium funnel shifts material into the large peaks at A=130 and A=195, and into the rare-earth "bump" at A=160. A bit later, after the free-neutron abundance has dropped and beta-decay has begun to compete seriously with neutron capture, the peaks can widen. The degree of widening depends largely on neutron-capture rates near closed neutron shells and relatively close to stability. We identify particular nuclei the capture rates of which should be examined experimentally, perhaps at a radioactive beam facility.Comment: 8 pages, 14 figures included in tex

    The impact of nuclear masses near N=82N=82 on rr-process abundances

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    We have performed for the first time a complete rr-process mass sensitivity study in the N=82N=82 region. We take into account how an uncertainty in a single nuclear mass propagates to influence important quantities of neighboring nuclei, including Q-values and reaction rates. We demonstrate that nuclear mass uncertainties of ±0.5\pm0.5 MeV in the N=82N=82 region result in up to an order of magnitude local change in rr-process abundance predictions. We identify key nuclei in the study whose mass has a substantial impact on final rr-process abundances and could be measured at future radioactive beam facilities.Comment: 7 pages, 3 figures, submitte

    The Influence Of Neutron Capture Rates On The Rare Earth Region Of The r-Process Abundance Pattern

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    We study the sensitivity of the r-process abundance pattern to neutron capture rates along the rare earth region (A~150 to A~180). We introduce the concepts of large nuclear flow and flow saturation which determine the neutron capture rates that are influential in setting the rare earth abundances. We illustrate the value of the two concepts by considering high entropy conditions favorable for rare earth peak production and identifying important neutron capture rates among the rare earth isotopes. We also show how these rates influence nuclear flow and specific sections of the abundance pattern.Comment: 14 pages, 7 figures, submitted to PR
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