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T. Rauscher

Publications and source records attributed to T. Rauscher.

At least 181 records · Page 10Linked to original sources
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.

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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.

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arXiv2000

X-Ray Bursts and Proton Captures Close to the Dripline

The hydrogen-rich accreted envelopes of neutron stars in binary systems are the site for the rapid proton capture nucleosynthethic process (rp-process), which involves nuclei close to the proton dripline. An overview of the relevant reactions and nuclear properties for rp-process studies is given, along with motivations for further experimental nuclear physics studies.

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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.

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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.

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arXiv2000

Capture of alpha Particles by Isospin-Symmetric Nuclei

The reaction rates for alpha capture processes on self-conjugate nuclei in the mass range A=20-40 have been investigated. The rates were calculated using the statistical model code NON-SMOKER taking into account isospin suppression rules. These theoretical predictions are compared with rates derived from the available experimental data about the alpha capture reactions taking also into account additional experimental information from different reaction channels populating the alpha unbound states of the self-conjugate compound nuclei.

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arXiv2000

Astrophysical Reaction Rates From Statistical Model Calculations

Theoretical reaction rates in the temperature range 0.01*10^9<=T[K]<=10.*10^9 are calculated in the statistical model (Hauser-Feshbach formalism) for targets with 10<=Z<=83 (Ne to Bi) and for a mass range reaching the neutron and proton driplines. Reactions considered are (n,gamma), (n,p), (n,alpha), (p,gamma), (p,alpha),(alpha,gamma), and their inverse reactions. Reaction rates as a function of temperature for thermally populated targets are given by analytic seven parameter fits. To facilitate comparison with experimental rates, the stellar enhancement factors are also tabulated. Two complete sets of rates have been calculated, one of which includes a phenomenological treatment of shell quenching for neutron-rich nuclei. These extensive datasets are provided on-line as electronic files, while a selected subset from one calculation is given as printed tables. A summary of the theoretical inputs and advice on the use of the provided tabulations is included.

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arXiv1999

The Reaction Rate Sensitivity of Nucleosynthesis in Type II Supernovae

We explore the sensitivity of the nucleosynthesis of intermediate mass elements (28 < A < 80) in supernovae derived from massive stars to the nuclear reaction rates employed in the model. Two standard sources of reaction rate data (Woosley et al. 1978; and Thielemann et al. 1987) are employed in pairs of calculations that are otherwise identical. Both include as a common backbone the experimental reactions rates of Caughlan & Fowler (1988). Two stellar models are calculated for each of two main sequence masses: 15 and 25 solar masses. Each star is evolved from core hydrogen burning to a presupernova state carrying an appropriately large reaction network, then exploded using a piston near the edge of the iron core as described by Woosley & Weaver (1995). The final stellar yields from the models calculated with the two rate sets are compared and found to differ in most cases by less than a factor of two over the entire range of nuclei studied. Reasons for the major discrepancies are discussed in detail along with the physics underlying the two reaction rate sets employed. The nucleosynthesis results are relatively robust and less sensitive than might be expected to uncertainties in nuclear reaction rates, though they are sensitive to the stellar model employed.

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arXiv1998

Prediction of Thermonuclear Reaction Rates in Astrophysics

Recent improvements and remaining problems in the prediction of thermonuclear rates are reviewed. The main emphasis is on statistical model calculations, but the challenge to include direct reactions close to the driplines is also briefly addressed. Further theoretical as well as experimental investigations are motivated.

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arXiv1998

Global statistical model calculations and the role of isospin

An improved code for the calculation of astrophysical reaction rates in the statistical model is presented. It includes the possibility to study isospin effects. Such effects heavily affect capture rates involving self-conjugate nuclei and may also be found in reactions on other intermediate and heavy targets.

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arXiv1998

Global Transmission Coefficients in Hauser-Feshbach Calculations for Astrophysics

The current status of optical potentials employed in the prediction of thermonuclear reaction rates for astrophysics in the Hauser-Feshbach formalism is discussed. Special emphasis is put on $α$+nucleus potentials. A novel approach for the prediction of $α$+nucleus potentials is proposed. Further experimental efforts are motivated.

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arXiv1998

Nucleosynthesis Basics and Applications to Supernovae

This review concentrates on nucleosynthesis processes in general and their applications to massive stars and supernovae. A brief initial introduction is given to the physics in astrophysical plasmas which governs composition changes. We present the basic equations for thermonuclear reaction rates and nuclear reaction networks. The required nuclear physics input for reaction rates is discussed, i.e. cross sections for nuclear reactions, photodisintegrations, electron and positron captures, neutrino captures, inelastic neutrino scattering, and beta-decay half-lives. We examine especially the present state of uncertainties in predicting thermonuclear reaction rates, while the status of experiments is discussed by others in this volume (see M. Wiescher). It follows a brief review of hydrostatic burning stages in stellar evolution before discussing the fate of massive stars, i.e. the nucleosynthesis in type II supernova explosions (SNe II). Except for SNe Ia, which are explained by exploding white dwarfs in binary stellar systems (which will not be discussed here), all other supernova types seem to be linked to the gravitational collapse of massive stars (M$>$8M$_\odot$) at the end of their hydrostatic evolution. SN1987A, the first type II supernova for which the progenitor star was known, is used as an example for nucleosynthesis calculations. Finally, we discuss the production of heavy elements in the r-process up to Th and U and its possible connection to supernovae.

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arXiv1998

Dependence of direct neutron capture on nuclear-structure models

The prediction of cross sections for nuclei far off stability is crucial in the field of nuclear astrophysics. We calculate direct neutron capture on the even-even isotopes $^{124-145}$Sn and $^{208-238}$Pb with energy levels, masses, and nuclear density distributions taken from different nuclear-structure models. The utilized structure models are a Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov model, a relativistic mean field theory, and a macroscopic-microscopic model based on the finite-range droplet model and a folded-Yukawa single-particle potential. Due to the differences in the resulting neutron separation and level energies, the investigated models yield capture cross sections sometimes differing by orders of magnitude. This may also lead to differences in the predicted astrophysical r-process paths. Astrophysical implications are discussed.

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arXiv1997

Nuclear Level Density and the Determination of Thermonuclear Rates for Astrophysics

The prediction of cross sections for nuclei far off stability is crucial in the field of nuclear astrophysics. We discuss the model mostly employed for such calculations: the statistical model (Hauser-Feshbach). Special emphasis is put on the uncertainties arising from nuclear level density descriptions and an improved global description is presented. Furthermore, criteria for the applicability of the statistical model are investigated and a "map" for the applicability of the model to reactions of stable and unstable nuclei with neutral and charged particles is given.

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arXiv1997

Astrophysical neutron capture rates in s- and r-process nucleosynthesis

Astrophysical neutron capture rates of light and heavy nuclei have been measured and calculated. For the measurements the activation technique was applied at the 3.75 MV Karlsruhe Van de Graaff accelerator, and at the Geel electron linear accelerator (GELINA) the time-of-flight (TOF) method was used. The calculations were performed using direct and compound nuclear capture models.

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arXiv1997

An Approximation for the rp-Process

Hot (explosive) hydrogen burning or the Rapid Proton Capture Process (rp-process) occurs in a number of astrophysical environments. Novae and X-ray bursts are the most prominent ones, but accretion disks around black holes and other sites are candidates as well. The expensive and often multidimensional hydro calculations for such events require an accurate prediction of the thermonuclear energy generation, while avoiding full nucleosynthesis network calculations. In the present investigation we present an approximation scheme applicable in a temperature range which covers the whole range of all presently known astrophysical sites. It is based on the concept of slowly varying hydrogen and helium abundances and assumes a kind of local steady flow by requiring that all reactions entering and leaving a nucleus add up to a zero flux. This scheme can adapt itself automatically and covers situations at low temperatures, characterized by a steady flow of reactions, as well as high temperature regimes where a $(p,γ)-(γ,p)$-equilibrium is established. In addition to a gain of a factor of 15 in computational speed over a full network calculation, and an energy generation accurate to more than 15 %, this scheme also allows to predict correctly individual isotopic abundances. Thus, it delivers all features of a full network at a highly reduced cost and can easily be implemented in hydro calculations.

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