scholarly journals Chemical Evolution and Extremely Metal-Poor Stars

1998 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 49-52
Author(s):  
Andrew McWilliam
Keyword(s):  
Neutron Capture ◽  
Heavy Element ◽  
Massive Stars ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Heavy Elements ◽  
High Mass ◽  
Type Ii ◽  
Element Abundances ◽  
Halo Stars ◽  
R Process

Early abundance studies (e.g. Pagel 1968) showed that neutron-capture heavy elements (Z > 30) are present in halo stars, but deficient relative iron. Truran (1981) argued that at low [Fe/H] the chemical enrichment time scale was shorter than the lifetime of low-mass AGB progenitors, which are the main source of solar system heavy elements. He proposed that in the halo the heavy elements were produced by high mass stars, in type II supernova events (SNII), by rapid neutron capture nucleosynthesis (the r-process). Spite & Spite (1978) investigated the trend of heavy element abundances with metallicity, from a small sample of halo stars. They found that at [Fe/H]~ -1.5 the halo [heavy element/Fe] ratio is approximately solar; but at lower [Fe/H] there is a roughly linear decrease of [heavy element/Fe] with declining [Fe/H]. Subsequent observations confirmed the general trend of heavy elements in the halo: [M/Fe]~0 down to [Fe/H]~ -2, followed by a linear decline in [M/Fe] to lower [Fe/H] (e.g. Gilroy et al 1988, Lambert 1987). Additional evidence for the role of SNII in halo heavy element synthesis comes from the trend of [Eu/Fe] with [Fe/H]. Europium is an almost pure r-process element (Käppeler et al. 1989) and its abundance trend with metallicity is similar to the α element trend (e.g. O and Mg made in massive stars). The element ratios show an increase in [M/Fe] as [Fe/H] decreases from 0 to —1; below this point [Eu/Fe] and [α/Fe] remain constant at ~+0.3 dex. For α elements this behavior is thought to be due to the change in the relative contributions from type II SN and type la SN in the disk and halo (Tinsley 1979). The trend for Eu also indicates production by massive stars (e.g. SNII). Near [Fe/H]~ -2.5 Eu appears to decline relative to [Fe/H] (like other heavy elements, but unlike the α elements). This abundance trend has been used to constrain the numerous proposed astrophysical sites of the r-process (e.g. Mathews & Cowan 1990).

Distribution of R- and S-Process Elements in the Galactic Halo

1988 ◽  
Vol 132 ◽  
pp. 501-506
Author(s):  
C. Sneden ◽  
C. A. Pilachowski ◽  
K. K. Gilroy ◽  
J. J. Cowan
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Element ◽  
Galactic Halo ◽  
Low Noise ◽  
Heavy Elements ◽  
Process Synthesis ◽  
Element Abundances ◽  
Halo Stars ◽  
Abundance Patterns ◽  
R Process ◽  
Process Elements

Current observational results for the abundances of the very heavy elements (Z>30) in Population II halo stars are reviewed. New high resolution, low noise spectra of many of these extremely metal-poor stars reveal general consistency in their overall abundance patterns. Below Galactic metallicities of [Fe/H] Ã −2, all of the very heavy elements were manufactured almost exclusively in r-process synthesis events. However, there is considerable star-to-star scatter in the overall level of very heavy element abundances, indicating the influence of local supernovas on element production in the very early, unmixed Galactic halo. The s-process appears to contribute substantially to stellar abundances only in stars more metal-rich than [Fe/H] Ã −2.

Heavy Element Abundances in the Magellanic Clouds

1991 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 82-83 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen C. Russell
Keyword(s):  
Neutron Capture ◽  
Heavy Element ◽  
Magellanic Clouds ◽  
Element Abundances ◽  
R Process

AbstractThis paper presents a brief discussion of the apparent underdepletion of the heavy neutron-capture elements (elements heavier than Ba), compared with Fe in the Magellanic Clouds. The s-process appears to have been only effective in forming elements in the light neutron-capture group (Sr, Y, Zr) in the Magellanic Clouds, but to have much reduced effectiveness in forming the heavy neutron-capture group. The abundances of the elements heavier than Ba have a distribution that indicates that they were produced by the r-process alone.

scholarly journals Heavy Element Nucleosynthesis

2018 ◽  
Vol 184 ◽  
pp. 01007
Author(s):  
Mounib F. El Eid
Keyword(s):  
Chemical Evolution ◽  
Neutron Capture ◽  
Heavy Element ◽  
Slow Neutron ◽  
Heavy Elements ◽  
Galactic Chemical Evolution ◽  
Physical Processes ◽  
The Galaxy ◽  
R Process

This contribution deals with the important subject of the nucleosynthesis of heavy elements in the Galaxy. After an overview of several observational features, the physical processes responsible mainly for the formation of heavy elements will be described and linked to possible stellar sites and to galactic chemical evolution. In particular, we focus on the neutron-capture processes, namely the s-process (slow neutron capture) and the r-process (rapid neutron capture) and discuss some problems in connection with their sites and their outcome. The aim is to give a brief overview on the exciting subject of the heavy element nucleosynthesis in the Galaxy, emphasizing its importance to trace the galactic chemical evolution and illustrating the challenge of this subject.

scholarly journals 10. General Discussion

1960 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. 677-679 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Yield Curve ◽  
Fission Products ◽  
Heavy Elements ◽  
Sikhote Alin ◽  
Heavy Nuclei ◽  
Fission Yield ◽  
Element Abundances ◽  
The Earth ◽  
R Process ◽  
Nova Outburst

1. p. SELINOV: Anomalous abundances of Te and Xe isotopes in meteorites and in the Earth permit us to draw some conclusions concerning the age of uranium and the processes of nucleogenesis. According to the estimate by Hoyle the amount of 254Cf disintegrated during a super-nova outburst is of the order of io29 g or io~4 of the stellar mass. According to the fission-yield curve the isotopes of Te comprise about 1 % of the mass of fission products. The abundances of Te 128-131 are anomalously high, due to the fission of heavy nuclei. The element abundances do not permit us to draw any conclusions about the r-process. The isotopes of Te and Xe with even mass numbers give evidence in favour of the r-process (anomalously high abundances). But the amount of Te in meteorites and in Earth is about 1000 times less than it should be if formed during the outburst. The Sikhote- Alin meteorite shows the same anomaly. We may conclude that the heavy elements of the solar system have been formed not in a single super-nova outburst, but as a result of mixing from the totality of outbursts. According to Hoyle, this gives a definite estimate for the age of uranium.

60Fe and 244Pu deposited on Earth constrain the r-process yields of recent nearby supernovae

Science ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 372 (6543) ◽  
pp. 742-745
Author(s):  
A. Wallner ◽  
M. B. Froehlich ◽  
M. A. C. Hotchkis ◽  
N. Kinoshita ◽  
M. Paul ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pacific Ocean ◽  
Neutron Stars ◽  
Neutron Capture ◽  
Half Life ◽  
Massive Stars ◽  
Chemical Elements ◽  
Capture Process ◽  
Isotopic Signatures ◽  
Supernova Explosions ◽  
R Process

Half of the chemical elements heavier than iron are produced by the rapid neutron capture process (r-process). The sites and yields of this process are disputed, with candidates including some types of supernovae (SNe) and mergers of neutron stars. We search for two isotopic signatures in a sample of Pacific Ocean crust—iron-60 (60Fe) (half-life, 2.6 million years), which is predominantly produced in massive stars and ejected in supernova explosions, and plutonium-244 (244Pu) (half-life, 80.6 million years), which is produced solely in r-process events. We detect two distinct influxes of 60Fe to Earth in the last 10 million years and accompanying lower quantities of 244Pu. The 244Pu/60Fe influx ratios are similar for both events. The 244Pu influx is lower than expected if SNe dominate r-process nucleosynthesis, which implies some contribution from other sources.

scholarly journals Chemical Evolution of Galaxies: Abundance Trends and Implications

1991 ◽  
Vol 145 ◽  
pp. 13-19
Author(s):  
James W. Truran
Keyword(s):  
Massive Stars ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Spectroscopic Studies ◽  
Early History ◽  
Elemental Abundance ◽  
Type Ii ◽  
Halo Stars ◽  
Abundance Patterns ◽  
Abundance Trends ◽  
History Of

Recent spectroscopic studies of the elemental abundance patterns associated with extremely metal deficient field halo stars and globular cluster stars are briefly reviewed. These metal deficient stellar populations have been found to be characterized by abundance patterns which differ quite distinctly from those of solar system abundances, but are consistent with the view that they reflect primarily the nucleosynthesis products of the evolution of massive stars and associated Type II supernovae. Guided by our current knowledge of nucleosynthesis as a function of stellar mass occurring in stars and supernovae, we identify some interesting constraints upon theories of the formation and early history of our Galaxy.

scholarly journals The contribution from rotating massive stars to the enrichment in Sr and Ba of the Milky Way

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
F Rizzuti ◽  
G Cescutti ◽  
F Matteucci ◽  
A Chieffi ◽  
R Hirschi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neutron Capture ◽  
Milky Way ◽  
Massive Stars ◽  
Rotational Velocity ◽  
Stellar Rotation ◽  
Deep Impact ◽  
Low Metallicity ◽  
Group Rotation ◽  
R Process ◽  
Chemical Evolution Model

Abstract Most neutron capture elements have a double production by r- and s-processes, but the question of production sites is complex and still open. Recent studies show that including stellar rotation can have a deep impact on nucleosynthesis. We studied the evolution of Sr and Ba in the Milky Way. A chemical evolution model was employed to reproduce the Galactic enrichment. We tested two different nucleosynthesis prescriptions for s-process in massive stars, adopted from the Geneva group and the Rome group. Rotation was taken into account, studying the effects of stars without rotation or rotating with different velocities. We also tested different production sites for the r-process: magneto rotational driven supernovae and neutron star mergers. The evolution of the abundances of Sr and Ba is well reproduced. The comparison with the the most recent observations shows that stellar rotation is a good assumption, but excessive velocities result in overproduction of these elements. In particular, the predicted evolution of the [Sr/Ba] ratio at low metallicity does not explain the data at best if rotation is not included. Adopting different rotational velocities for different stellar mass and metallicity better explains the observed trends. Despite the differences between the two sets of adopted stellar models, both show a better agreement with the data assuming an increase of rotational velocity toward low metallicity. Assuming different r-process sources does not alter this conclusion.

scholarly journals Nucleosynthesis of light trans-Fe isotopes in ccSNe: Implications from presolar SiC-X grains

2020 ◽  
Vol 227 ◽  
pp. 01009
Author(s):  
Waheed Akram ◽  
Khalil Farouqi ◽  
Oliver Hallmann ◽  
Karl-Ludwig Kratz
Keyword(s):  
Charged Particle ◽  
Massive Stars ◽  
Parameter Study ◽  
Type Ii ◽  
High Entropy ◽  
Abundance Estimates ◽  
Fe Isotopes ◽  
Type Ia ◽  
R Process ◽  
Low Entropy

This contribution presents an extension of our r-process parameter study within the high-entropy-wind (HEW) scenario of corecollapse supernovae (ccSNe). One of the primary aims of this study was to obtain indications for the production of classical p-, s- and r-isotopes of the light trans-Fe elements in the Solar System (S.S.). Here, we focus on the nucleosynthesis origin of the anomalous isotopic compositions of Zr, Mo and Ru in presolar SiC X-grains (SNe grains). In contrast to the interpretation of other groups, we show that these grains do not represent the signatures of a ‘clean’ stellar scenario, but rather, are mixtures of an exotic nucleosynthesis component and S.S. material. We further confirm the results of our earlier studies whereby sizeable amounts of all stable p-, s- and r-isotopes of Zr, Mo and Ru can be co-produced by moderately neutron-rich ejecta of the low-entropy, charged-particle scenario of ccSNe (type II). The synthesis of these isotopes through a ‘primary’ production mode provides further means to revise the abundance estimates of the light trans-Fe elements from so far favoured ‘secondary’ scenarios like Type Ia SNe or neutron-bursts in exploding massive stars.

scholarly journals Neutron-Capture Element Abundances in Planetary Nebulae

Galaxies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 50
Author(s):  
N. C. Sterling
Keyword(s):  
Neutron Capture ◽  
Observational Studies ◽  
Near Infrared ◽  
Dwarf Galaxy ◽  
Planetary Nebulae ◽  
Slow Neutron ◽  
Magellanic Clouds ◽  
Heavy Elements ◽  
Element Abundances ◽  
Open Questions

Nebular spectroscopy is a valuable tool for assessing the production of heavy elements by slow neutron(n)-capture nucleosynthesis (the s-process). Several transitions of n-capture elements have been identified in planetary nebulae (PNe) in the last few years, with the aid of sensitive, high-resolution, near-infrared spectrometers. Combined with optical spectroscopy, the newly discovered near-infrared lines enable more accurate abundance determinations than previously possible, and provide access to elements that had not previously been studied in PNe or their progenitors. Neutron-capture elements have also been detected in PNe in the Sagittarius Dwarf galaxy and in the Magellanic Clouds. In this brief review, I discuss developments in observational studies of s-process enrichments in PNe, with an emphasis on the last five years, and note some open questions and preliminary trends.

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