12,906 research outputs found
Classical novae and type I X-ray bursts: challenges for the 21st century
Classical nova explosions and type I X-ray bursts are the most frequent types
of thermonuclear stellar explosions in the Galaxy. Both phenomena arise from
thermonuclear ignition in the envelopes of accreting compact objects in close
binary star systems. Detailed observations of these events have stimulated
numerous studies in theoretical astrophysics and experimental nuclear physics.
We discuss observational features of these phenomena and theoretical efforts to
better understand the energy production and nucleosynthesis in these
explosions. We also examine and summarize studies directed at identifying
nuclear physics quantities with uncertainties that significantly affect model
predictions.Comment: 40 pages, accepted for AIP Advances: Stardust - Progress and Problems
in Nuclear Astrophysic
Nucleosynthesis in Type I X-ray Bursts
Type I X-ray bursts are thermonuclear explosions that occur in the envelopes
of accreting neutron stars. Detailed observations of these phenomena have
prompted numerous studies in theoretical astrophysics and experimental nuclear
physics since their discovery over 35 years ago. In this review, we begin by
discussing key observational features of these phenomena that may be sensitive
to the particular patterns of nucleosynthesis from the associated thermonuclear
burning. We then summarize efforts to model type I X-ray bursts, with emphasis
on determining the nuclear physics processes involved throughout these bursts.
We discuss and evaluate limitations in the models, particularly with regard to
key uncertainties in the nuclear physics input. Finally, we examine recent,
relevant experimental measurements and outline future prospects to improve our
understanding of these unique environments from observational, theoretical and
experimental perspectives.Comment: Accepted by Prog. Part. Nucl. Phys., 45 pages, 14 figure
A model for multifragmentation in heavy-ion reactions
From an experimental point of view, clear signatures of multifragmentation
have been detected by different experiments. On the other hand, from a
theoretical point of view, many different models, built on the basis of totally
different and often even contrasting assumptions, have been provided to explain
them. In this contribution we show the capabilities and the shortcomings of one
of this models, a QMD code developed by us and coupled to the nuclear
de-excitation module taken from the multipurpose transport and interaction code
FLUKA, in reproducing the multifragmentation observations recently reported by
the INDRA collaboration for the reaction Nb + Mg at a 30 MeV/A projectile
bombarding energy. As far as fragment production is concerned, we also briefly
discuss the isoscaling technique by considering reactions characterized by a
different isospin asymmetry, and we explain how the QMD + FLUKA model can be
applied to obtain information on the slope of isotopic yield ratios, which is
crucially related to the symmetry energy of asymmetric nuclear matter.Comment: 8 pages, 2 figures, Proc. 12th International Conference on Nuclear
Reaction Mechanisms, Varenna, Italy, June 15 - 19 200
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