Kilonovae Across the Nuclear Physics Landscape: The Impact of Nuclear Physics Uncertainties on r-process-powered Emission
@article{Barnes2020KilonovaeAT, title={Kilonovae Across the Nuclear Physics Landscape: The Impact of Nuclear Physics Uncertainties on r-process-powered Emission}, author={Jennifer Barnes and Yong-lin Zhu and Kelsey Lund and Trevor M. Sprouse and Nicole Vassh and Gail C. McLaughlin and Matthew R. Mumpower and Rebecca Surman}, journal={The Astrophysical Journal}, year={2020}, volume={918} }
Merging neutron stars produce “kilonovae”—electromagnetic transients powered by the decay of unstable nuclei synthesized via rapid neutron capture (the r-process) in material that is gravitationally unbound during inspiral and coalescence. Kilonova emission, if accurately interpreted, can be used to characterize the masses and compositions of merger-driven outflows, helping to resolve a long-standing debate about the origins of r-process material in the Universe. We explore how the uncertain…
27 Citations
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