Title: Nuclear Structure and Isomer Studies for R-Process Nucleosynthesis

Abstract: Neutron-capture-driven nucleosynthesis is believed to be responsible for the creation of most of the nuclei heavier than iron with one of the most dominant processes called the fast-neutron capture process or the r-process. To understand the exact path of the r-process and its link to the observed abundance pattern requires experimental discoveries combined with extensive network simulations. Structure and decay properties of thousands of neutron-rich nuclei are key determinants of the nuclear flow throughout the entire r-process; these quantities include nuclear masses, half-lives, neutron capture and emission probabilities, and decay branching ratios. Most recently, nuclear isomers have gained more attention with recent theoretical work highlighting the importance of precise information on nuclear isomers, so called “astromers”, and their careful treatment in network calculations. Experimental advances at radioactive beam facilities like the CAlifornium Rare Isotope Breeder Upgrade (CARIBU) facility at Argonne National Laboratory, the Facility for Rare Isotopes Beams (FRIB), and the upcoming “N = 126 Factory”, have opened a new doorway for experimental discoveries of nuclear structure properties and isomeric states relevant to the r process. During this talk, a series of experimental efforts targeting nuclear properties of r-process relevant nuclei and the plans for future efforts will be presented.

Host: Paul Huffman