Gail C. McLaughlin

r-Process Nucleosynthesis in Hot Accretion Disk Flows from Black Hole - Neutron Star Mergers

We consider hot accretion disk outflows from black hole-neutron star mergers in the context of the nucleosynthesis they produce. We begin with a three-dimensional numerical model of a black hole-neutron star merger and calculate the neutrino and antineutrino fluxes emitted from the resulting accretion disk. We then follow the element synthesis in material outflowing the disk along parameterized trajectories. We find that at least a weak r-process is produced, and in some cases a main r-process as well. The neutron-rich conditions required for this production of r-process nuclei stem directly from the interactions of the neutrinos emitted by the disk with the free neutrons and protons in the outflow.

Nucleosynthesis in the Outflow from Gamma-Ray Burst Accretion Disks

We examine the nucleosynthesis products that are produced in the outflow from rapidly accreting disks. We find that the type of element synthesis varies dramatically with the degree of neutrino trapping in the disk and therefore the accretion rate of the disk. Disks with relatively high accretion rates such as {dot M} = 10 M {circle_dot} s{sup -1} can produce very neutron-rich nuclei that are found in the r-process. Disks with more moderate accretion rates can produce copious amounts of nickel, as well as the light elements such as lithium and boron. Disks with lower accretion rates such as {dot M} = 1 M {circle_dot} s{sup -1} produce large amounts of nickel, as well as some unusual nuclei such as {sup 49}Ti, {sup 45}Sc, {sup 64}Zn, and {sup 92}Mo. This wide array of potential nucleosynthesis products is due to the varying influence of electron neutrinos and antineutrinos emitted from the disk on the neutron-to-proton ratio in the outflow. We use a parameterization for the outflow and discuss our results in terms of entropy and outflow acceleration.

An Active sterile neutrino transformation solution for r process nucleosynthesis

We discuss how matter-enhanced active-sterile neutrino transformation in the

Neutrino capture andr-process nucleosynthesis

{\ensuremath{\nu}}_{e}\ensuremath{\rightleftharpoons}{\ensuremath{\nu}}_{s}

Active sterile neutrino conversion: Consequences for the r process and supernova neutrino detection

and

NEUTRINOS AND NUCLEOSYNTHESIS IN GAMMA-RAY BURST ACCRETION DISKS

{\overline{\ensuremath{\nu}}}_{e}\ensuremath{\rightleftharpoons}{\overline{\ensuremath{\nu}}}_{s}

What can be learned with a lead-based supernova-neutrino detector?

channels could enable the production of the rapid neutron capture

NEUTRINO SPECTRA FROM ACCRETION DISKS: NEUTRINO GENERAL RELATIVISTIC EFFECTS AND THE CONSEQUENCES FOR NUCLEOSYNTHESIS

(r

Formation of the rare-earth peak: Gaining insight into late-time r-process dynamics

-process) nuclei in neutrino-heated supernova ejecta. In this scheme the lightest sterile neutrino would be heavier than the

Oscillation effects and time variation of the supernova neutrino signal

{\ensuremath{\nu}}_{e}