Speaker
Description
Neutron-capture nucleosynthesis occurs via a variety of processes depending on the astrophysical sites and conditions. Recent observations and stellar evolution models of carbon enhanced metal poor stars (CEMP) and Rapidly Accreting White Dwarf stars (RAWDs) suggest that an intermediate process, known as the $i$-process, exists between the traditional $s$- and $r$-processes, and is necessary to explain observed abundances in these environments. $i$-process nucleosynthesis is impacted by various nuclear data inputs, of which the main source of uncertainty arises from unconstrained neutron-capture reaction rates. Direct neutron-capture measurements are only feasible for long-lived nuclei, while for short-lived nuclei, indirect techniques are required. In this presentation I will discuss an indirect neutron-capture technique known as the $\beta$-Oslo method and highlight measurements over last decade that have been used to illuminate $i$-process nucleosynthesis across the nuclear chart at radioactive beam facilities such as the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory, the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams, CARIBU & nuCARIBU at Argonne National Laboratory, and TRIUMF.
| Contribution category | Experiment |
|---|---|
| Presenter status | Faculty/Staff |