arXiv subjects

B. S. Meyer

Publications and source records attributed to B. S. Meyer.

18 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Sensitivity of Nuclear Reaction Rates in X-ray Burst Models

Type I X-ray bursts (XRBs) are thermonuclear runaways on the surface of accreting neutron stars, powered by rapid proton-capture and alpha-capture processes on neutron-deficient nuclei. Uncertainties in the corresponding reaction rates remain a major limitation in modeling burst light curves and ashes. We present a systematic study of the sensitivity of XRB models to uncertainties in charged-particle-induced reaction rates across a broad parameter space of accretion rates and fuel compositions in low-mass X-ray binaries. The study proceeds in two stages: ignition conditions are first determined with a semi-analytic framework coupled to a full reaction network, followed by a sensitivity analysis using the ONEZONE model with individual rate variations. We identify 41 reactions that alter the burst light curve and 187 that significantly impact final abundances. Reactions on bottleneck isotopes in the alpha-p- and rp-process paths strongly affect both observables, while most (p, gamma) reactions on medium-mass (A > 32) and heavy-mass (A > 55) nuclei influence only the final composition. Medium-mass cases dominate in He-rich bursts, where the reaction flow terminates earlier, while heavy-mass cases appear in mixed H and He bursts with extended rp-process paths reaching A ~ 110. We identify a subset of reactions whose rate uncertainties exert influence on the final 12C yield in helium-rich bursts, which could have important consequences for the mechanism of ignition of carbon superbursts. Our results identify key targets for nuclear reaction experiments to reduce nuclear physics uncertainties in XRB models.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2023

Executive Summary of the Topical Program: Nuclear Isomers in the Era of FRIB

We report on the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB) Theory Alliance topical program "Nuclear Isomers in the Era of FRIB". We outline the many ways isomers influence and contribute to nuclear science and technology, especially in the four FRIB pillars: properties of rare isotopes, nuclear astrophysics, fundamental symmetries, and applications for the nation and society. We conclude with a resolution stating our recommendation that the nuclear physics community actively pursue isomer research. A white paper is forthcoming.

nucl-th↗

arXiv2023

Bayesian averaging for ground state masses of atomic nuclei in a Machine Learning approach

We present global predictions of the ground state mass of atomic nuclei based on a novel Machine Learning (ML) algorithm. We combine precision nuclear experimental measurements together with theoretical predictions of unmeasured nuclei. This hybrid data set is used to train a probabilistic neural network. In addition to training on this data, a physics-based loss function is employed to help refine the solutions. The resultant Bayesian averaged predictions have excellent performance compared to the testing set and come with well-quantified uncertainties which are critical for contemporary scientific applications. We assess extrapolations of the model's predictions and estimate the growth of uncertainties in the region far from measurements.

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arXiv2020

A strong neutron burst in jet-like supernovae of spinstars

Some metal-poor stars have abundance patterns which are midway between the slow (s) and rapid (r) neutron capture processes. We show that the helium shell of a fast rotating massive star experiencing a jet-like explosion undergoes two efficient neutron capture processes: one during stellar evolution and one during the explosion. It eventually provides a material whose chemical composition is midway between the s- and r-process. A low metallicity 40~$M_{\odot}$ model with an initial rotational velocity of $\sim 700$~km~s$^{-1}$ was computed from birth to pre-supernova with a nuclear network following the slow neutron capture process. A 2D hydrodynamic relativistic code was used to model a $E = 10^{52}$~erg relativistic jet-like explosion hitting the stellar mantle. The jet-induced nucleosynthesis was calculated in post-processing with a network of 1812 nuclei. During the star's life, heavy elements from $30 \lesssim Z \lesssim 82$ are produced thanks to an efficient s-process, which is boosted by rotation. At the end of evolution, the helium shell is largely enriched in trans-iron elements and in (unburnt) $^{22}$Ne, whose abundance is $\sim 20$ times higher than in a non-rotating model. During the explosion, the jet heats the helium shell up to $\sim 1.5$ GK. It efficiently activates ($α,n$) reactions, such as $^{22}$Ne($α,n$), and leads to a strong n-process with neutron densities of $\sim 10^{19} - 10^{20}$~cm$^{-3}$ during $0.1$~second. This has the effect of shifting the s-process pattern towards heavier elements (e.g. Eu). The resulting chemical pattern is consistent with the abundances of the carbon-enhanced metal-poor r/s star CS29528-028, provided the ejecta of the jet model is not homogeneously mixed. This is a new astrophysical site which can explain at least some of the metal-poor stars showing abundance patterns midway between the s- and r-process.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2019

Spallation-altered accreted compositions for X-ray bursts: Impact on ignition conditions and burst ashes

Dependable predictions of the X-ray burst ashes and light curves require a stringent constraint on the composition of the accreted material as an input parameter. Lower metallicity models are generally based on a metal deficient donor and all metals are summed up in CNO abundances or solar metal distribution is assumed. In this work, we study the alteration of accreted composition due to spallation in the atmosphere of accreting neutron stars considering a cascading destruction process. We find that the inclusion of the cascading process brings the replenishment of CNO elements and overall survival probability is higher compared to isolated destruction of CNO elements. Spallation model provides the distribution of metals as a function of mass accretion rate. Multi-zone X-ray burst models calculated with reduced metallicities have enhanced abundances for high-mass nuclei in X-ray burst ashes. The increased metallicity due to the replenishment of CNO elements changes the composition of burst ashes compared to lower metallicity conditions. This will modify the thermal and compositional structure of accreted neutron star crusts.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2018

Stellar $^{36,38}$Ar$(n,γ)^{37,39}$Ar reactions and their effect on light neutron-rich nuclide synthesis

The $^{36}$Ar$(n,γ)^{37}$Ar ($t_{1/2}$ = 35 d) and $^{38}$Ar$(n,γ)^{39}$Ar (269 y) reactions were studied for the first time with a quasi-Maxwellian ($kT \sim 47$ keV) neutron flux for Maxwellian Average Cross Section (MACS) measurements at stellar energies. Gas samples were irradiated at the high-intensity Soreq applied research accelerator facility-liquid-lithium target neutron source and the $^{37}$Ar/$^{36}$Ar and $^{39}$Ar/$^{38}$Ar ratios in the activated samples were determined by accelerator mass spectrometry at the ATLAS facility (Argonne National Laboratory). The $^{37}$Ar activity was also measured by low-level counting at the University of Bern. Experimental MACS of $^{36}$Ar and $^{38}$Ar, corrected to the standard 30 keV thermal energy, are 1.9(3) mb and 1.3(2) mb, respectively, differing from the theoretical and evaluated values published to date by up to an order of magnitude. The neutron capture cross sections of $^{36,38}$Ar are relevant to the stellar nucleosynthesis of light neutron-rich nuclides; the two experimental values are shown to affect the calculated mass fraction of nuclides in the region A=36-48 during the weak $s$-process. The new production cross sections have implications also for the use of $^{37}$Ar and $^{39}$Ar as environmental tracers in the atmosphere and hydrosphere.

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arXiv2016

Completing the nuclear reaction puzzle of the nucleosynthesis of 92Mo

One of the greatest questions for modern physics to address is how elements heavier than iron are created in extreme, astrophysical environments. A particularly challenging part of that question is the creation of the so-called p-nuclei, which are believed to be mainly produced in some types of supernovae. The lack of needed nuclear data presents an obstacle in nailing down the precise site and astrophysical conditions. In this work, we present for the first time measurements on the nuclear level density and average strength function of $^{92}$Mo. State-of-the-art p-process calculations systematically underestimate the observed solar abundance of this isotope. Our data provide stringent constraints on the $^{91}$Nb$(p,γ)^{92}$Mo reaction rate, which is the last unmeasured reaction in the nucleosynthesis puzzle of $^{92}$Mo. Based on our results, we conclude that the $^{92}$Mo abundance anomaly is not due to the nuclear physics input to astrophysical model calculations.

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arXiv2013

Measurement of the $^{90, 92}$Zr(p,$γ$)$^{91,93}$Nb reactions for the nucleosynthesis of elements around A=90

Cross section measurements of the reactions $^{90, 92}$Zr(p,$γ$)$^{91,93}$Nb were performed using the NSCL SuN detector at the University of Notre Dame. These reactions are part of the nuclear reaction flow for the synthesis of the light p nuclei. For the $^{90}$Zr(p,$γ$)$^{91}$Nb reaction the new measurement resolves the disagreement between previous results. For the $^{92}$Zr(p,$γ$)$^{93}$Nb reaction the present work reports the first measurement of this reaction cross section. Both reaction cross sections are compared to theoretical calculations and a very good agreement with the standard NON-SMOKER model is observed.

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arXiv2013

Approaching the precursor nuclei of the third r-process peak with RIBs

The rapid neutron nucleosynthesis process involves an enormous amount of very exotic neutron-rich nuclei, which represent a theoretical and experimental challenge. Two of the main decay properties that affect the final abundance distribution the most are half-lives and neutron branching ratios. Using fragmentation of a primary $^{238}$U beam at GSI we were able to measure such properties for several neutron-rich nuclei from $^{208}$Hg to $^{218}$Pb. This contribution provides a short update on the status of the data analysis of this experiment, together with a compilation of the latest results published in this mass region, both experimental and theoretical. The impact of the uncertainties connected with the beta-decay rates and with beta-delayed neutron emission is illustrated on the basis of $r$-process network calculations. In order to obtain a reasonable reproduction of the third $r$-process peak, it is expected that both half-lives and neutron branching ratios are substantially smaller, than those based on FRDM+QRPA, commonly used in $r$-process model calculations. Further measurements around $N\sim126$ are required for a reliable modelling of the underlying nuclear structure, and for performing more realistic $r$-process abundance calculations.

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arXiv2013

The Effect of the Pre-Detonation Stellar Internal Velocity Profile on the Nucleosynthetic Yields in Type Ia Supernova

A common model of the explosion mechanism of Type Ia supernovae is based on a delayed detonation of a white dwarf. A variety of models differ primarily in the method by which the deflagration leads to a detonation. A common feature of the models, however, is that all of them involve the propagation of the detonation through a white dwarf that is either expanding or contracting, where the stellar internal velocity profile depends on both time and space. In this work, we investigate the effects of the pre-detonation stellar internal velocity profile and the post-detonation velocity of expansion on the production of alpha-particle nuclei, including Ni56, which are the primary nuclei produced by the detonation wave. We perform one-dimensional hydrodynamic simulations of the explosion phase of the white dwarf for center and off-center detonations with five different stellar velocity profiles at the onset of the detonation. We observe two distinct post-detonation expansion phases: rarefaction and bulk expansion. Almost all the burning to Ni56 occurs only in the rarefaction phase, and its expansion time scale is influenced by pre-existing flow structure in the star, in particular by the pre-detonation stellar velocity profile. We find that the mass fractions of the alpha-particle nuclei, including Ni56, are tight functions of the empirical physical parameter rho_up/v_down, where rho_up is the mass density immediately upstream of the detonation wave front and v_down is the velocity of the flow immediately downstream of the detonation wave front. We also find that v_down depends on the pre-detonation flow velocity. We conclude that the properties of the pre-existing flow, in particular the internal stellar velocity profile, influence the final isotopic composition of burned matter produced by the detonation.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2007

r-Process Nucleosynthesis in Shocked Surface Layers of O-Ne-Mg Cores

We demonstrate that rapid expansion of the shocked surface layers of an O-Ne-Mg core following its collapse can result in r-process nucleosynthesis. As the supernova shock accelerates through these layers, it makes them expand so rapidly that free nucleons remain in disequilibrium with alpha-particles throughout most of the expansion. This allows heavy r-process isotopes including the actinides to form in spite of the very low initial neutron excess of the matter. We estimate that yields of heavy r-process nuclei from this site may be sufficient to explain the Galactic inventory of these isotopes.

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arXiv2006

Are Ti44-Producing Supernovae Exceptional?

According to standard models supernovae produce radioactive $^{44}$Ti, which should be visible in gamma-rays following decay to $^{44}$Ca for a few centuries. $^{44}Ti production is believed to be the source of cosmic $^{44}$Ca, whose abundance is well established. Yet, gamma-ray telescopes have not seen the expected young remnants of core collapse events. The $^{44}$Ti mean life of $τ\simeq$ 89 y and the Galactic supernova rate of $\simeq$ 3/100 y imply $\simeq$ several detectable $^{44}Ti gamma-ray sources, but only one is clearly seen, the 340-year-old Cas A SNR. Furthermore, supernovae which produce much $^{44}Ti are expected to occur primarily in the inner part of the Galaxy, where young massive stars are most abundant. Because the Galaxy is transparent to gamma-rays, this should be the dominant location of expected gamma-ray sources. Yet the Cas A SNR as the only one source is located far from the inner Galaxy (at longitude 112 degree). We evaluate the surprising absence of detectable supernovae from the past three centuries. We discuss whether our understanding of SN explosions, their $^{44}Ti yields, their spatial distributions, and statistical arguments can be stretched so that this apparent disagreement may be accommodated within reasonable expectations, or if we have to revise some or all of the above aspects to bring expectations in agreement with the observations. We conclude that either core collapse supernovae have been improbably rare in the Galaxy during the past few centuries, or $^{44}Ti-producing supernovae are atypical supernovae. We also present a new argument based on $^{44}$Ca/$^{40}$Ca ratios in mainstream SiC stardust grains that may cast doubt on massive-He-cap Type I supernovae as the source of most galactic $^{44}$Ca.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2005

Thermonuclear Kinetics in Astrophysics

Over the billions of years since the Big Bang, the lives, deaths and afterlives of stars have enriched the Universe in the heavy elements that make up so much of ourselves and our world. This review summarizes the methods used to evolve these nuclear abundances within astrophysical simulations. These methods fall into 2 categories; evolution via rate equations and via equilibria. Because the rate equations in nucleosynthetic applications involve a wide range of timescales, implicit methods have proven mandatory, leading to the need to solve matrix equations. Efforts to improve the performance of such rate equation methods are focused on efficient solution of these matrix equations, in particular by making best use of the sparseness of these matrices, and finding methods that require less frequent matrix solutions. Recent work to produce hybrid schemes which use local equilibria to reduce the computational cost of the rate equations is also discussed. Such schemes offer significant improvements in the speed of reaction networks and are accurate under circumstances where calculations which assume complete equilibrium fail.

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arXiv2004

Nucleosynthesis in Fast Expansions of High-Entropy, Proton Rich Matter

We demonstrate that nucleosynthesis in rapid, high-entropy expansions of proton-rich matter from high temperature and density can result in a wider variety of abundance patterns than heretofore appreciated. In particular, such expansions can produce iron-group nuclides, p-process nuclei, or even heavy, neutron-rich isotopes. Such diversity arises because the nucleosynthesis enters a little explored regime in which the free nucleons are not in equilibrium with the abundant alpha particles. This allows nuclei significantly heavier than iron to form in t he presence of abundant free nucleons early in the expansion. As the temperature drops, nucleons increasingly assemble into alpha particles and heavier nuclei. If the assembly is efficient, the resulting depletion of free neutrons allows disintegrat ion flows to drive nuclei back down to iron and nickel. If this assembly is inefficient, then the large abundance of free nucleons prevents the disintegration flows and leaves a distribution of heavy nuclei after reaction freezeout. For cases in between, an intermediate abundance distribution, enriched in p-process isotopes, is frozen out. These last expansions may contribute to the solar system's supply of the p-process nuclides if mildly proton-rich, high-entropy matter is ejected from proto-neutron stars winds or other astrophysical sites. Also sign ificant is the fact that, because the nucleosynthesis is primary, the signature of this nucleosyn thesis may be evident in metal poor stars.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2002

Nuclear Reactions Important in Alpha-Rich Freezeouts

The alpha-rich freezeout from equilibrium occurs during the core-collapse explosion of a massive star when the supernova shock wave passes through the Si-rich shell of the star. The nuclei are heated to high temperature and broken down into nucleons and alpha particles. These subsequently reassemble as the material expands and cools, thereby producing new heavy nuclei, including a number of important supernova observables. In this paper we introduce two web-based applications. The first displays the results of a reaction-rate sensitivity study of alpha-rich freezeout yields. The second allows the interested reader to run paramaterized explosive silicon burning calculations in which the user inputs his own parameters. These tools are intended to aid in the identification of nuclear reaction rates important for experimental study. We then analyze several iron-group isotopes (59Ni, 57Co, 56Co, and 55Fe) in terms of their roles as observables and examine the reaction rates that are important in their production.

nucl-th↗

arXiv1998

A New Study of s-Process Nucleosynthesis in Massive Stars

We present a comprehensive study of s-process nucleosynthesis in 15, 20, 25, and 30 $\msun$ stellar models having solar-like initial composition. The stars are evolved up to ignition of central neon with a 659 species network coupled to the stellar models. In this way, the initial composition from one burning phase to another is consistently determined, especially with respect to neutron capture reactions. The aim of our calculations is to gain a full account of the s-process yield from massive stars. In the present work, we focus primarily on the s-process during central helium burning and illuminate some major uncertainties affecting the calculations. We briefly show how advanced burning can significantly affect the products of the core helium burning s-process and, in particular, can greatly deplete $^{80}$Kr that was strongly overproduced in the earlier core helium burning phase; however, we leave a complete analysis of the s-process during the advanced evolutionary phases (especially in shell carbon burning) to a subsequent paper. Our results can help to constrain the yield of the s-process material from massive stars during their pre-supernova evolution.

astro-ph↗

arXiv1998

Nuclear Reactions Rates Governing the Nucleosynthesis of Ti44

Large excesses of Ca44 in certain presolar graphite and silicon carbide grains give strong evidence for Ti44 production in supernovae. Furthermore, recent detection of the Ti44 gamma-line from the Cas A SNR by CGRO/COMPTEL shows that radioactive Ti44 is produced in supernovae. These make the Ti44 abundance an observable diagnostic of supernovae. Through use of a nuclear reaction network, we have systematically varied reaction rates and groups of reaction rates to experimentally identify those that govern Ti44 abundance in core-collapse supernova nucleosynthesis. We survey the nuclear-rate dependence by repeated calculations of the identical adiabatic expansion, with peak temperature and density chosen to be 5.5xE9 K and 1E7 g/cc, respectively, to approximate the conditions in detailed supernova models. We find that, for equal total numbers of neutrons and protons (eta=0), Ti44 production is most sensitive to the following reaction rates: Ti44(alpha,p)V47, alpha(2alpha,gamma)C12, Ti44(alpha,gamma)Cr48, V45(p,gamma)Cr46. We tabulate the most sensitive reactions in order of their importance to the Ti44 production near the standard values of currently accepted cross-sections, at both reduced reaction rate (0.01X) and at increased reaction rate (100X) relative to their standard values. Although most reactions retain their importance for eta > 0, that of V45(p,gamma)Cr46 drops rapidly for eta >= 0.0004. Other reactions assume greater significance at greater neutron excess: C12(alpha,gamma)O16, Ca40(alpha,gamma)Ti44, Al27(alpha,n)P30, Si30(alpha,n)S33. Because many of these rates are unknown experimentally, our results suggest the most important targets for future cross section measurements governing the value of this observable abundance.

astro-ph↗

arXiv1997

R-Process Freezeout, Nuclear Deformation, and the Rare-Earth Element Peak

We use network calculations of r-process nucleosynthesis to explore the origin of the peak in the solar r-process abundance distribution near nuclear mass number A = 160. The peak is due to a subtle interplay of nuclear deformation and beta decay, and forms not in the steady phase of the r-process, but only just prior to freezeout, as the free neutrons rapidly disappear. Its existence should therefore help constrain the conditions under which the r-process occurs and freezes out.

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