The interplay of magnetic fields, nuclear physics, and nucleosynthesis in neutron-star mergers and supernovae

ECT*-EMMI/GSI workshop

Neutron-star mergers and core-collapse supernovae are among the most promising sites for the synthesis of heavy elements in the universe. These astrophysical phenomena bring together a rich interplay of general relativity, neutrino physics, nuclear reactions, and magneto-hydrodynamics. Among these factors, magnetic fields are increasingly recognized as playing a pivotal role in shaping the dynamics and nucleosynthetic outcomes of these events. Recent observational breakthroughs, from the detection of gravitational waves (e.g., GW170817) with EM counterparts and increasingly detailed supernova spectra, demand a deeper theoretical understanding of how magnetic fields interact with nuclear physics and influence heavy-element nucleosynthesis. At the same time, simulations of these events now routinely include magnetic fields and detailed neutrino transport demonstrating the potential of magneto-rotational supernovae and neutron-star mergers to produce rich nucleosynthesis yields including the heaviest elements produced by the r-process and set the stage for GRB jets.

Given all these recent developments we are at a critical moment to advance the field but there is a need for detailed discussions and interactions among nuclear physicists, astrophysicists, and computational modelers to address key open questions and make the most of the available observational datasets and computational resources. This workshop aims to bring these communities together.

Supporting institutions

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