Slow Neutron-Capture Process in Evolved Stars

Hirschi, Raphael

Abstract

The slow neutron-capture process (s process) contributes to the production of roughly half of the elements heavier than iron. The main component of the s process takes place in the late phases (AGB phase) of low-mass stars and is the topic of most reviews on the s process. This review thus focuses on the weak s process taking place in massive stars with a special emphasis on the key role of rotation as well as key stellar and nuclear uncertainties. While the weak s process production at solar metallicity is limited to the first peak (Sr), rotation-induced mixing boosts this production at low metallicities to the second peak (Ba) and in extreme cases to the third peak (Pb). Rotation-boosted s process also opens the door to an enhanced production of p nuclei compared to classical non-rotating massive star model predictions.

Citation

Hirschi, R. (2023). Slow Neutron-Capture Process in Evolved Stars. In Handbook of Nuclear Physics (3537-3571). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-19-6345-2_118

• Online Publication Date: Sep 5, 2023
• Publication Date: Sep 6, 2023
• Deposit Date: Jan 30, 2024
• Publisher: Springer
• Pages: 3537-3571
• Book Title: Handbook of Nuclear Physics
• ISBN: 9789811963445
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-19-6345-2_118
• Additional Information: First Online: 5 September 2023