In the realm of nuclear astrophysics, a team of researchers led by Dr. Artemis Tsantiri from Michigan State University’s National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory, along with collaborators from various institutions, has made significant strides in understanding the synthesis and destruction of the lightest proton-rich (p) nucleus, Selenium-74 (74Se). Their work, published in the journal Physical Review Letters, provides crucial insights into the processes occurring in explosive stellar environments, with potential implications for our understanding of energy production in stars and the synthesis of elements.
The researchers focused on measuring the cross section of the reaction involving Arsenic-73 (73As) and a proton, resulting in the creation of Selenium-74 (74Se). This reaction is one of the primary mechanisms for the destruction of 74Se in stellar explosions. By using a radioactive beam of 73As at specific energies, the team was able to extract valuable data on the reaction’s cross section and the statistical properties of the 74Se compound nucleus. These measurements help constrain the reaction rates within the energy range relevant to the gamma (γ) process, a series of photodisintegration reactions that occur in explosive stellar environments and contribute to the synthesis of proton-rich isotopes.
The study’s findings were incorporated into Monte Carlo one-zone network simulations to investigate the impact of the experimentally constrained reaction rate on 74Se production in Type II supernovae. The results indicate that the overproduction of 74Se by current Type II supernova models cannot be resolved by nuclear physics alone. This suggests that a more detailed understanding of the astrophysical conditions relevant to the γ process is necessary to accurately model the synthesis of proton-rich nuclei in stellar explosions.
For the energy sector, this research contributes to our broader understanding of stellar nucleosynthesis and the processes that drive energy production in stars. While the direct practical applications may not be immediately apparent, the insights gained from such studies can inform the development of models that predict the distribution of elements in the universe, which in turn can help us understand the origins of the materials used in energy production and other industrial processes. Additionally, the techniques and methodologies developed in this research can be applied to other areas of nuclear physics and astrophysics, potentially leading to advancements in energy research and technology.
In summary, the work of Tsantiri and her collaborators represents a significant step forward in our understanding of the synthesis and destruction of proton-rich nuclei in stellar environments. By constraining the reaction rates involved in the γ process, this research paves the way for more accurate models of stellar explosions and the production of elements in the universe. The findings were published in Physical Review Letters, a prestigious journal in the field of physics.
This article is based on research available at arXiv.