Mean proton and alpha-particle reduced widths of the Porter-Thomas distribution and astrophysical applications

The Porter-Thomas distribution is a key prediction of the Gaussian orthogonal ensemble in random matrix theory. It is routinely used to provide a measure for the number of levels that are missing in a given resonance analysis. The Porter-Thomas distribution is also of crucial importance for estimates of thermonuclear reaction rates where the contributions of certain unobserved resonances to the total reaction rate need to be taken into account. In order to estimate such contributions by randomly sampling over the Porter-Thomas distribution, the mean value of the reduced width must be known. We present mean reduced width values for protons and α particles of compound nuclei in the A = 28–67 mass range. The values are extracted from charged-particle elastic scattering and reaction data that weremeasured at the riangle Universities Nuclear Laboratory over several decades. Our new values differ significantly from those previously reported that were based on a preliminary analysis of a smaller data set. As an example for the application of our results, we present new thermonuclear rates for the 40Ca(α,γ)44Ti reaction, which is important for 44Ti production in core-collapse supernovae, and compare with previously reported results.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Reaction rate uncertainties and the operation of the NeNa and MgAl chains during HBB in intermediate-mass AGB stars

We test the effect of proton-capture reaction rate uncertainties on the abundances of the Ne, Na, Mg and Al isotopes processed by the NeNa and MgAl chains during hot bottom burning (HBB) in asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars of intermediate mass between 4 and 6 solar masses and metallicities between Z=0.0001 and 0.02. We provide uncertainty ranges for the AGB stellar yields, for inclusion in galactic chemical evolution models, and indicate which reaction rates are most important and should be better determined. We use a fast synthetic algorithm based on detailed AGB models. We run a large number of stellar models, varying one reaction per time for a very fine grid of values, as well as all reactions simultaneously. We show that there are uncertainties in the yields of all the Ne, Na, Mg and Al isotopes due to uncertain proton-capture reaction rates. The most uncertain yields are those of 26Al and 23Na (variations of two orders of magnitude), 24Mg and 27Al (variations of more than one order of magnitude), 20Ne and 22Ne (variations between factors 2 and 7). In order to obtain more reliable Ne, Na, Mg and Al yields from IM-AGB stars the rates that require more accurate determination are: 22Ne(p,g)23Na, 23Na(p,g)24Mg, 25Mg(p,g)26Al, 26Mg(p,g)27Al and 26Al(p,g)27Si. Detailed galactic chemical evolution models should be constructed to address the impact of our uncertainty ranges on the observational constraints related to HBB nucleosynthesis, such as globular cluster chemical anomalies.Comment: accepted for publication on Astronomy & Astrophysic

Properties of Carbon-Oxygen White Dwarfs From Monte Carlo Stellar Models

We investigate properties of carbon-oxygen white dwarfs with respect to the composite uncertainties in the reaction rates using the stellar evolution toolkit, Modules for Experiments in Stellar Astrophysics (MESA) and the probability density functions in the reaction rate library STARLIB. These are the first Monte Carlo stellar evolution studies that use complete stellar models. Focusing on 3 M$_{\odot}$ models evolved from the pre main-sequence to the first thermal pulse, we survey the remnant core mass, composition, and structure properties as a function of 26 STARLIB reaction rates covering hydrogen and helium burning using a Principal Component Analysis and Spearman Rank-Order Correlation. Relative to the arithmetic mean value, we find the width of the 95\% confidence interval to be $\Delta M_{{\rm 1TP}}$ $\approx$ 0.019 M$_{\odot}$ for the core mass at the first thermal pulse, $\Delta$$t_{\rm{1TP}}$ $\approx$ 12.50 Myr for the age, $\Delta \log(T_{{\rm c}}/{\rm K}) \approx$ 0.013 for the central temperature, $\Delta \log(\rho_{{\rm c}}/{\rm g \ cm}^{-3}) \approx$ 0.060 for the central density, $\Delta Y_{\rm{e,c}} \approx$ 2.6$\times$10$^{-5}$ for the central electron fraction, $\Delta X_{\rm c}(^{22}\rm{Ne}) \approx$ 5.8$\times$10$^{-4}$, $\Delta X_{\rm c}(^{12}\rm{C}) \approx$ 0.392, and $\Delta X_{\rm c}(^{16}\rm{O}) \approx$ 0.392. Uncertainties in the experimental $^{12}$C($\alpha,\gamma)^{16}\rm{O}$, triple-$\alpha$, and $^{14}$N($p,\gamma)^{15}\rm{O}$ reaction rates dominate these variations. We also consider a grid of 1 to 6 M$_{\odot}$ models evolved from the pre main-sequence to the final white dwarf to probe the sensitivity of the initial-final mass relation to experimental uncertainties in the hydrogen and helium reaction rates.Comment: Accepted for publication in The Astrophysical Journal; 19 Pages, 23 Figures, 5 Table

Reaction rate uncertainties and 26Al in AGB silicon carbide stardust

Stardust is a class of presolar grains each of which presents an ideally uncontaminated stellar sample. Mainstream silicon carbide (SiC) stardust formed in the extended envelopes of carbon-rich asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars and incorporated the radioactive nucleus 26Al as a trace element. The aim of this paper is to analyse in detail the effect of nuclear uncertainties, in particular the large uncertainties of up to four orders of magnitude related to the 26Al_g+(p,gamma)27Si reaction rate, on the production of 26Al in AGB stars and compare model predictions to data obtained from laboratory analysis of SiC stardust grains. Stellar uncertainties are also briefly discussed. We use a detailed nucleosynthesis postprocessing code to calculate the 26Al/27Al ratios at the surface of AGB stars of different masses (M = 1.75, 3, and 5 M_sun) and metallicities (Z = 0.02, 0.012, and 0.008). For the lower limit and recommended value of the 26Al_g(p,gamma)27Si reaction rate, the predicted 26Al/27Al ratios replicate the upper values of the range of the 26Al/27Al ratios measured in SiC grains. For the upper limit of the 26Al_g(p,gamma)27Si reaction rate, instead, the predicted 26Al/27Al ratios are approximately 100 times lower and lie below the range observed in SiC grains. When considering models of different masses and metallicities, the spread of more than an order of magnitude in the 26Al/27Al ratios measured in stellar SiC grains is not reproduced. We propose two scenarios to explain the spread of the 26Al/27Al ratios observed in mainstream SiC, depending on the choice of the 26Al_g+p reaction rate. One involves different times of stardust formation, the other involves extra-mixing processes. Stronger conclusions will be possible after more information is available from future nuclear experiments on the 26Al_g+p reaction.Comment: 6 pages, 5 Postscript figures, accepted for publication in Astronomy and Astrophysic

Updated stellar yields from Asymptotic Giant Branch models

An updated grid of stellar yields for low to intermediate-mass thermally-pulsing Asymptotic Giant Branch (AGB) stars are presented. The models cover a range in metallicity Z = 0.02, 0.008, 0.004, and 0.0001, and masses between 1Msun to 6Msun. New intermediate-mass Z = 0.0001 AGB models are also presented, along with a finer mass grid than used in previous studies. The yields are computed using an updated reaction rate network that includes the latest NeNa and MgAl proton capture rates, with the main result that between ~6 to 30 times less Na is produced by intermediate-mass models with hot bottom burning. In low-mass AGB models we investigate the effect on the production of light elements of including some partial mixing of protons into the intershell region during the deepest extent of each third dredge-up episode. The protons are captured by the abundant 12C to form a 13C pocket. The 13C pocket increases the yields of 19F, 23Na, the neutron-rich Mg and Si isotopes, 60Fe, and 31P. The increase in 31P is by factors of ~4 to 20, depending on the metallicity. Any structural changes caused by the addition of the 13C pocket into the He-intershell are ignored. However, the models considered are of low mass and any such feedback is likely to be small. Further study is required to test the accuracy of the yields from the partial-mixing models. For each mass and metallicity, the yields are presented in a tabular form suitable for use in galactic chemical evolution studies or for comparison to the composition of planetary nebulae.Comment: Accepted for publication in MNRAS; 15 page

On the asymptotic giant branch star origin of peculiar spinel grain OC2

Microscopic presolar grains extracted from primitive meteorites have extremely anomalous isotopic compositions revealing the stellar origin of these grains. The composition of presolar spinel grain OC2 is different from that of all other presolar spinel grains. Large excesses of the heavy Mg isotopes are present and thus an origin from an intermediate-mass (IM) asymptotic giant branch (AGB) star was previously proposed for this grain. We discuss the isotopic compositions of presolar spinel grain OC2 and compare them to theoretical predictions. We show that the isotopic composition of O, Mg and Al in OC2 could be the signature of an AGB star of IM and metallicity close to solar experiencing hot bottom burning, or of an AGB star of low mass (LM) and low metallicity suffering very efficient cool bottom processing. Large measurement uncertainty in the Fe isotopic composition prevents us from discriminating which model better represents the parent star of OC2. However, the Cr isotopic composition of the grain favors an origin in an IM-AGB star of metallicity close to solar. Our IM-AGB models produce a self-consistent solution to match the composition of OC2 within the uncertainties related to reaction rates. Within this solution we predict that the 16O(p,g)17F and the 17O(p,a)14N reaction rates should be close to their lower and upper limits, respectively. By finding more grains like OC2 and by precisely measuring their Fe and Cr isotopic compositions, it may be possible in the future to derive constraints on massive AGB models from the study of presolar grains.Comment: 10 pages, 8 figures, accepted for publication on Astronomy & Astrophysic

Rubidium, zirconium, and lithium production in intermediate-mass asymptotic giant branch stars

A recent survey of a large sample of Galactic intermediate-mass (>3 Msun) asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars shows that they exhibit large overabundances of rubidium (Rb) up to 100--1000 times solar. These observations set constraints on our theoretical notion of the slow neutron capture process (s process) that occurs inside intermediate-mass AGB stars. Lithium (Li) abundances are also reported for these stars. In intermediate-mass AGB stars, Li can be produced by proton captures occuring at the base of the convective envelope. For this reason the observations of Rb, Zr, and Li set complementary constraints on different processes occurring in the same stars. We present predictions for the abundances of Rb, Zr, and Li as computed for the first time simultaneously in intermediate-mass AGB star models and compare them to the current observational constraints. We find that the Rb abundance increases with increasing stellar mass, as is inferred from observations but we are unable to match the highest observed [Rb/Fe] abundances. Inclusion of a partial mixing zone (PMZ) to activate the 13C(a,n)16O reaction as an additional neutron source yields significant enhancements in the Rb abundance. However this leads to Zr abundances that exceed the upper limits of the current observational constraints. If the third dredge-up (TDU) efficiency remains as high during the final stages of AGB evolution as during the earlier stages, we can match the lowest values of the observed Rb abundance range. We predict large variations in the Li abundance, which are observed. Finally, the predicted Rb production increases with decreasing metallicity, in qualitative agreement with observations of Magellanic Cloud AGB stars. However stellar models of Z=0.008 and Z=0.004 intermediate-mass AGB stars do not produce enough Rb to match the observed abundances.Comment: 11 pages, 7 figures, accepted for publication on Astronomy & Astrophysic

Explosive Nucleosynthesis: What we learned and what we still do not understand

This review touches on historical aspects, going back to the early days of nuclear astrophysics, initiated by B$^2$FH and Cameron, discusses (i) the required nuclear input from reaction rates and decay properties up to the nuclear equation of state, continues (ii) with the tools to perform nucleosynthesis calculations and (iii) early parametrized nucleosynthesis studies, before (iv) reliable stellar models became available for the late stages of stellar evolution. It passes then through (v) explosive environments from core-collapse supernovae to explosive events in binary systems (including type Ia supernovae and compact binary mergers), and finally (vi) discusses the role of all these nucleosynthesis production sites in the evolution of galaxies. The focus is put on the comparison of early ideas and present, very recent, understanding.Comment: 11 pages, to appear in Springer Proceedings in Physics (Proc. of Intl. Conf. "Nuclei in the Cosmos XV", LNGS Assergi, Italy, June 2018

Search for squarks and gluinos with the ATLAS detector in final states with jets and missing transverse momentum using √s=8 TeV proton-proton collision data

A search for squarks and gluinos in final states containing high-p T jets, missing transverse momentum and no electrons or muons is presented. The data were recorded in 2012 by the ATLAS experiment in s√=8 TeV proton-proton collisions at the Large Hadron Collider, with a total integrated luminosity of 20.3 fb−1. Results are interpreted in a variety of simplified and specific supersymmetry-breaking models assuming that R-parity is conserved and that the lightest neutralino is the lightest supersymmetric particle. An exclusion limit at the 95% confidence level on the mass of the gluino is set at 1330 GeV for a simplified model incorporating only a gluino and the lightest neutralino. For a simplified model involving the strong production of first- and second-generation squarks, squark masses below 850 GeV (440 GeV) are excluded for a massless lightest neutralino, assuming mass degenerate (single light-flavour) squarks. In mSUGRA/CMSSM models with tan β = 30, A 0 = −2m 0 and μ > 0, squarks and gluinos of equal mass are excluded for masses below 1700 GeV. Additional limits are set for non-universal Higgs mass models with gaugino mediation and for simplified models involving the pair production of gluinos, each decaying to a top squark and a top quark, with the top squark decaying to a charm quark and a neutralino. These limits extend the region of supersymmetric parameter space excluded by previous searches with the ATLAS detector