EMMI workshop: Neutron Matter in Astrophysics: From Neutron Stars to the r-Process

We investigate r-process nucleosynthesis during magneto-hydrodynamic supernova explosions driven by rapid rotations and strong magnetic fields. These types of supernovae are very important not only for magnetar formation sites, but also for astronomical r-process sites in astrophysics. Our r-process nucleosynthesis simulations are based on the astronomical supernova explosion models, which...

Although they are but a small fraction of the mass ejected in core-collapse supernovae, neutrino-driven winds (NDWs) from nascent proto-neutron stars (PNSs) have the potential to contribute significantly to supernova nucleosynthesis. In previous works, the NDW has been implicated as a possible source of r-process and light p-process isotopes. I will present time-dependent hydrodynamic...

Core collapse supernovae have long been considered one of the most promising astrophysical sites for r-process nucleosynthesis. Detailed calculations of the neutrino-heated winds from proto-neutron stars, however, find that the ratio of neutrons to seed nuclei is generally too low for the r-process to reach the second or third abundance peaks. Success instead appears to require some...