arXiv subjects

R. D. Hoffman

Publications and source records attributed to R. D. Hoffman.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2010

Reaction rate sensitivity of 44Ti production in massive stars and implications of a thick target yield measurement of 40Ca(alpha,gamma)44Ti

We evaluate two dominant nuclear reaction rates and their uncertainties that affect 44Ti production in explosive nucleosynthesis. Experimentally we develop thick-target yields for the 40Ca(alpha,gamma)44Ti reaction at E(alpha) = 4.13, 4.54, and 5.36 MeV using gamma-ray spectroscopy. At the highest beam energy, we also performed an activation measurement that agrees with the thick target result. From the measured yields a stellar reaction rate was developed that is smaller than current statistical-model calculations and recent experimental results, which would suggest lower 44Ti production in scenarios for the alpha-rich freeze out. Special attention has been paid to assessing realistic uncertainties of stellar rates produced from a combination of experimental and theoretical cross sections, which we use to develop a re-evaluation of the 44Ti(alpha,p)47V reaction rate. Using these we carry out a sensitivity survey of 44Ti synthesis in eight expansions representing peak temperature and density conditions drawn from a suite of recent supernova explosion models. Our results suggest that the current uncertainty in these two reaction rates could lead to as large an uncertainty in 44Ti synthesis as that produced by different treatments of stellar physics.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2010

Integrated Nucleosynthesis in Neutrino Driven Winds

Although they are but a small fraction of the mass ejected in core-collapse supernovae, neutrino-driven winds (NDWs) from nascent proto-neutron stars (PNSs) have the potential to contribute significantly to supernova nucleosynthesis. In previous works, the NDW has been implicated as a possible source of r-process and light p-process isotopes. In this paper we present time-dependent hydrodynamic calculations of nucleosynthesis in the NDW which include accurate weak interaction physics coupled to a full nuclear reaction network. Using two published models of PNS neutrino luminosities, we predict the contribution of the NDW to the integrated nucleosynthetic yield of the entire supernova. For the neutrino luminosity histories considered, no true r-process occurs in the most basic scenario. The wind driven from an older $1.4 M_\odot$ model for a PNS is moderately neutron-rich at late times however, and produces $^{87}$Rb, $^{88}$Sr, $^{89}$Y, and $^{90}$Zr in near solar proportions relative to oxygen. The wind from a more recently studied $1.27 M_\odot$ PNS is proton-rich throughout its entire evolution and does not contribute significantly to the abundance of any element. It thus seems very unlikely that the simplest model of the NDW can produce the r-process. At most, it contributes to the production of the N = 50 closed shell elements and some light p-nuclei. In doing so, it may have left a distinctive signature on the abundances in metal poor stars, but the results are sensitive to both uncertain models for the explosion and the masses of the neutron stars involved.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2008

Nucleosynthesis in Early Neutrino Driven Winds

Nucleosynthesis in early neutrino winds is investigated. Presented is a brief overview of two recent problems of supernova nucleosynthesis. In the first part we investigate the effect of nuclear parameters on the synthesis of Mo92 and Mo94. Based on recent experimental results, we find that the proton rich winds of the model investigated here can not be the source of solar Mo92 and Mo94. In the second part we investigate the nucleosynthesis from neutron rich bubbles and show that they do not contribute to the overall nucleosynthesis.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2007

Nucleosynthesis in O-Ne-Mg Supernovae

We have studied detailed nucleosynthesis in the shocked surface layers of an Oxygen-Neon-Magnesium core collapse supernova with an eye to determining if the conditions are suitable for r process nucleosynthesis. We find no such conditions in an unmodified model, but do find overproduction of N=50 nuclei (previously seen in early neutron-rich neutrino winds) in amounts that, if ejected, would pose serious problems for galactic chemical evolution.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2007

Nucleosynthesis in early supernova winds III: No significant contribution from neutron-rich pockets

Recent nucleosynthesis calculations of Type II supernovae using advanced neutrino transport determine that the early neutrino winds are proton-rich. However, a fraction of the ejecta emitted at the same time is composed of neutron-rich pockets. In this paper we calculate the nucleosynthesis contribution from the neutron-rich pockets in the hot convective bubbles of a core-collapse supernova and show that they do not contribute significantly to the total nucleosynthesis.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2007

Determining neutron-capture cross sections via the surrogate reaction technique

Indirect methods play an important role in the determination of nuclear reaction cross sections that are hard to measure directly. In this paper we investigate the feasibility of using the so-called surrogate method to extract neutron-capture cross sections for low energy compound-nuclear reactions in spherical and near-spherical nuclei. We present the surrogate method and develop a statistical nuclear-reaction simulation to explore different approaches to utilize surrogate reaction data. We assess the success of each approach by comparing the extracted cross sections with a predetermined benchmark. In particular, we employ regional systematics of nuclear properties in the 34 <= Z <= 46 region to calculate (n,gamma) cross sections for a series of Zr isotopes, and to simulate a surrogate experiment and the extraction of the desired cross section. We identify one particular approach that may provide very useful estimates of the cross section, and we discuss some of the limitations of the method. General recommendations for future (surrogate) experiments are also given.

nucl-th↗

arXiv2005

Nucleosynthesis in Early Supernova Winds II: The Role of Neutrinos

One of the outstanding unsolved riddles of nuclear astrophysics is the origin of the so called ``p-process'' nuclei from A = 92 to 126. Both the lighter and heavier p-process nuclei are adequately produced in the neon and oxygen shells of ordinary Type II supernovae, but the origin of these intermediate isotopes, especially 92,94Mo and 96,98Ru, has long been mysterious. Here we explore the production of these nuclei in the neutrino-driven wind from a young neutron star. We consider such early times that the wind still contains a proton excess because the rates for electron neutrino and positron captures on neutrons are faster than those for the inverse captures on protons. Following a suggestion by Frohlich et al. 2005, we also include the possibility that, in addition to the protons, alpha-particles, and heavy seed, a small flux of neutrons is maintained by the reaction p(bar(nu_e),e+)n. This flux of neutrons is critical in bridging the long waiting points along the path of the rp-process by (n,p) and (n,gamma) reactions. Using the unmodified ejecta histories from a recent two-dimensional supernova model by Janka et al. 2003, we find synthesis of p-rich nuclei up to 102Pd. However, if the entropy of these ejecta is increased by a factor of two, the synthesis extends to 120Te. Still larger increases in entropy, that might reflect the role of magnetic fields or vibrational energy input neglected in the hydrodynamical model, result in the production of numerous r-, s-, and p-process nuclei up to A approximately 170, even in winds that are proton-rich.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2004

Nucleosynthesis in the Hot Convective Bubble in Core-Collapse Supernovae

As an explosion develops in the collapsed core of a massive star, neutrino emission drives convection in a hot bubble of radiation, nucleons, and pairs just outside a proto-neutron star. Shortly thereafter, neutrinos drive a wind-like outflow from the neutron star. In both the convective bubble and the early wind, weak interactions temporarily cause a proton excess (Ye > 0.5) to develop in the ejected matter. This situation lasts for at least the first second, and the approximately 0.05 - 0.1 solar masses that is ejected has an unusual composition that may be important for nucleosynthesis. Using tracer particles to follow the conditions in a two-dimensional model of a successful supernova explosion calculated by Janka, Buras & Rampp (2003), we determine the composition of this material. Most of it is helium and 56Ni. The rest is relatively rare species produced by the decay of proton-rich isotopes unstable to positron emission. In the absence of pronounced charged-current neutrino capture, nuclear flow will be held up by long-lived waiting point nuclei in the vicinity of 64Ge. The resulting abundance pattern can be modestly rich in a few interesting rare isotopes like 45Sc, 49Ti, and 64Zn. The present calculations imply yields that, when compared with the production of major species in the rest of the supernova, are about those needed to account for the solar abundance of 45Sc and 49Ti. Since the synthesis will be nearly the same in stars of high and low metallicity, the primary production of these species may have discernible signatures in the abundances of low metallicity stars. We also discuss uncertainties in the nuclear physics and early supernova evolution to which abundances of interesting nuclei are sensitive.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2004

Nucleosynthesis in Outflows from the Inner Regions of Collapsars

We consider nucleosynthesis in outflows originating from the inner regions of viscous accretion disks formed after the collapse of a rotating massive star. We show that wind-like outflows driven by viscous and neutrino heating can efficiently synthesize Fe-group elements moving at near-relativistic velocities. The mass of 56Ni synthesized and the asymptotic velocities attained in our calculations are in accord with those inferred from observations of SN1998bw and SN2003dh. These steady wind-like outflows are generally proton rich, characterized by only modest entropies, and consequently synthesize essentially nothing heavier than the Fe-group elements. We also discuss bubble-like outflows resulting from rapid energy deposition in localized regions near or in the accretion disk. These intermittent ejecta emerge with low electron fraction and are a promising site for the synthesis of the A=130 r-process peak elements.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2003

Models for Type I X-Ray Bursts with Improved Nuclear Physics

Multi-zone models of Type I X-ray bursts are presented that use an adaptive nuclear reaction network of unprecedented size, up to 1300 isotopes. Sequences of up to 15 bursts are followed for two choices of accretion rate and metallicity. At 0.1 Eddington (and 0.02 Eddington for low metallicity), combined hydrogen-helium flashes occur. The rise times, shapes, and tails of these light curves are sensitive to the efficiency of nuclear burning at various waiting points along the rp-process path and these sensitivities are explored. The bursts show "compositional inertia", in that their properties depend on the fact that accretion occurs onto the ashes of previous bursts which contain left-over hydrogen, helium and CNO nuclei. This acts to reduce the sensitivity of burst properties to metallicity. For the accretion rates studied, only the first anomalous burst in one model produces nuclei as heavy as A=100, other bursts make chiefly nuclei with A~64. The amount of carbon remaining after hydrogen-helium bursts is typically <1% by mass, and decreases further as the ashes are periodically heated by subsequent bursts. At the lower accretion rate of 0.02 Eddington and solar metallicity, the bursts ignite in a hydrogen-free helium layer. At the base of this layer, up to 90% of the helium has already burned to carbon prior to the unstable ignition. These helium-ignited bursts have briefer, brighter light curves with shorter tails, very rapid rise times (<0.1 s), and ashes lighter than the iron group.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2002

Nucleosynthesis in Gamma Ray Burst Accretion Disks

We follow the nuclear reactions that occur in the accretion disks of stellar mass black holes that are accreting at a very high rate, 0.01 to 1 solar masses per second, as is realized in many current models for gamma-ray bursts (GRBs). The degree of neutronization in the disk is a sensitive function of the accretion rate, black hole mass, Kerr parameter, and disk viscosity. For high accretion rates and low viscosity, material arriving at the black hole will consist predominantly of neutrons. This degree of neutronization will have important implications for the dynamics of the GRB producing jet and perhaps for the synthesis of the r-process. For lower accretion rates and high viscosity, as might be appropriate for the outer disk in the collapsar model, neutron-proton equality persists allowing the possible synthesis of 56Ni in the disk wind. 56Ni must be present to make any optically bright Type Ib supernova, and in particular those associated with GRBs.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2002

Nucleosynthesis in Massive Stars With Improved Nuclear and Stellar Physics

We present the first calculations to follow the evolution of all stable nuclei and their radioactive progenitors in stellar models computed from the onset of central hydrogen burning through explosion as Type II supernovae. Calculations are performed for Pop I stars of 15, 19, 20, 21, and 25 M_sun using the most recently available experimental and theoretical nuclear data, revised opacity tables, neutrino losses, and weak interaction rates, and taking into account mass loss due to stellar winds. A novel ``adaptive'' reaction network is employed with a variable number of nuclei (adjusted each time step) ranging from about 700 on the main sequence to more than 2200 during the explosion. The network includes, at any given time, all relevant isotopes from hydrogen through polonium (Z=84). Even the limited grid of stellar masses studied suggests that overall good agreement can be achieved with the solar abundances of nuclei between 16O and 90Zr. Interesting discrepancies are seen in the 20 M_sun model and, so far, only in that model, that are a consequence of the merging of the oxygen, neon, and carbon shells about a day prior to core collapse. We find that, in some stars, most of the ``p-process'' nuclei can be produced in the convective oxygen burning shell moments prior to collapse; in others, they are made only in the explosion. Serious deficiencies still exist in all cases for the p-process isotopes of Ru and Mo.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2001

Massive Star Evolution: Nucleosynthesis and Nuclear Reaction Rate Uncertainties

We present a nucleosynthesis calculation of a 25 solar mass star of solar composition that includes all relevant isotopes up to polonium. In particular, all stable isotopes and necessary nuclear reaction rates are covered. We follow the stellar evolution from hydrogen burning till iron core collapse and simulate the explosion using a ``piston'' approach. We discuss the influence of two key nuclear reaction rates, C12(a,g) and Ne22(a,n), on stellar evolution and nucleosynthesis. The former significantly influences the resulting core sizes (iron, silicon, oxygen) and the overall presupernova structure of the star. It thus has significant consequences for the supernova explosion itself and the compact remnant formed. The later rate considerably affects the s-process in massive stars and we demonstrate the changes that different currently suggested values for this rate cause.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2001

Nuclear Aspects of the s- and n-Processes in Massive Stars

In order to study the processes creating intermediate and heavy nuclei in massive stars it is necessary to provide neutron capture cross sections and reaction rates close to stability and for moderately unstable neutron-rich nuclei. Furthermore, one has to know the efficiency of neutron-releasing reactions in the main evolutionary phases of a massive star. We present simulations of the nucleosynthesis in a 15 and 25 solar mass star, for the first time followed completely from main sequence hydrogen burning until the type II supernova explosion including all nuclides up to Bi. Theoretical reaction rates were calculated with the NON-SMOKER code, providing a complete library of Hauser-Feshbach cross sections and rates for nuclear and astrophysical applications. Experimental rates at stability were taken from different sources. The impact of uncertainties in the rates on nucleosynthesis are illustrated by two examples, the reactions 62Ni(n,gamma)63Ni and 22Ne(alpha,n)25Mg.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2000

Nucleosynthesis in massive stars revisited

We have performed the first calculations to follow the evolution of all stable nuclei and their radioactive progenitors in a finely-zoned stellar model computed from the onset of central hydrogen burning through explosion as a Type II supernova. Calculations were done for 15, 20, and 25 solar masses Pop I stars using the most recently available set of experimental and theoretical nuclear data, revised opacity tables, and taking into account mass loss due to stellar winds. Here results are presented for one 15 solar masses model.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2000

Nuclear Aspects of Nucleosynthesis in Massive Stars

Preliminary results of a new set of stellar evolution and nucleosynthesis calculations for massive stars are presented. These results were obtained with an extended reaction network up to Bi. The discussion focuses on the importance of nuclear rates in pre- and post-explosive nucleosynthesis. The need for further experiments to study specific reactions and nuclear properties (optical alpha+nucleus potentials) is emphasized.

nucl-th↗

arXiv2000

Prediction of Astrophysical Reaction Rates: Methods, Data Needs, and Consequences for Nucleosynthesis Studies

The majority of nuclear reactions in astrophysics involve unstable nuclei which are not fully accessible by experiments yet. Therefore, there is high demand for reliable predictions of cross sections and reaction rates by theoretical means. The majority of reactions can be treated in the framework of the statistical model (Hauser-Feshbach). The global parametrizations of the nuclear properties needed for predictions far off stability probe our understanding of the strong force and take it to its limit. The sensitivity of astrophysical scenarios to nuclear inputs is illustrated in the framework of a detailed nucleosynthesis study in type II supernovae. Abundances resulting from calculations in the same explosion model with two different sets of reaction rates are compared. Key reactions and required nuclear information are identified.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2000

Nucleosynthesis in Massive Stars - Including All Stable Isotopes

We present the first calculations to follow the evolution of all stable isotopes (and their abundant radioactive progenitors) in a finely zoned stellar model computed from the onset of central hydrogen burning through explosion as a Type II supernova. The calculations were performed for a 15 solar mass Pop I star using the most recently available set of experimental and theoretical nuclear data, revised opacity tables, and taking into account mass loss due to stellar winds. We find the approximately solar production of proton-rich isotopes above a mass number of A=120 due to the gamma-process. We also find a weak s-process, which along with the gamma-process and explosive helium and carbon burning, produces nearly solar abundances of almost all nuclei from A=60 to 85. A few modifications of the abundances of heavy nuclei above mass 90 by the s-process are also noted and discussed. New weak rates lead to significant alteration of the properties of the presupernova core.

astro-ph↗