r-process Nucleosynthesis Of Translead Nuclei In Neutron Star Mergers

About half of the chemical elements heavier than iron found in nature are produced in a specific astrophysical nucleosynthesis process: the rapid neutron capture process (aka r process). An accurate description of the r-process nucleosynthesis represents one of the biggest challenges in nuclear physics since it involves the knowledge of nuclear properties of several thousands of exotic nuclei. As the majority of these nuclei cannot be produced in current experimental facilities due to their extremely short half-lives, nuclear models become an essential tool to properly address the quest for the origin of the heaviest elements of the universe.

In this seminar, I will present some recent advances in the modelling of the r-process nucleosynthesis. Nuclear properties obtained from density functional theory calculations are employed to understand the impact of nuclear uncertainties in r-process abundances and kilonova light curves (electromagnetic transients produced by the radioactive decay of the r-process nuclei). In particular, the production of translead nuclei and the role of fission during the r process will be discussed. Nuclear properties obtained from density functional theory calculations are employed to understand the impact of nuclear uncertainties in r-process abundances and kilonova light curves (electromagnetic transients produced by the radioactive decay of the r-process nuclei). In particular, the production of translead nuclei and the role of fission during the r process will be discussed.