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arXiv · 1112.2673

Nucleosynthesis of Nickel-56 from Gamma-Ray Burst Accretion Disks

R. Surman·G. C. McLaughlin·N. Sabbatino
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Abstract

We examine the prospects for producing Nickel-56 from black hole accretion disks, by examining a range of steady state disk models. We focus on relatively slowly accreting disks in the range of 0.05 - 1 solar masses per second, as are thought to be appropriate for the central engines of long-duration gamma-ray bursts. We find that significant amounts of Nickel-56 are produced over a wide range of parameter space. We discuss the influence of entropy, outflow timescale and initial disk position on mass fraction of Nickel-56 which is produced. We keep careful track of the weak interactions to ensure reliable calculations of the electron fraction, and discuss the role of the neutrinos.

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R. Surman, G. C. McLaughlin, N. Sabbatino. 2011-12-12. Nucleosynthesis of Nickel-56 from Gamma-Ray Burst Accretion Disks. https://doi.org/10.1088/0004-637x/743/2/155

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