β-decay strength distributions of neutron-rich isotopes for r-process nucleosynthesis
Abstract: Approximately half of the elements heavier than iron are thought to be produced in the rapid-neutron capture process. Recent insights into the astrophysical site of this critical process highlight the need for experimental data on short-lived neutron-rich nuclei. R-process nucleosynthesis sensitivity studies show that the final abundance distributions of r-process nuclei are greatly impacted by β-decay properties, such as half-lives and β-delayed neutron-emission probabilities [1]. The β-decay strengths for a series of neutron-rich Co isotopes have been measured using the technique of total absorption spectroscopy with the Summing NaI (SuN) detector to inform global models used to calculate β-decay properties for nucleosynthesis network calculations. The resultant β-decay intensities and deduced Gamow-Teller strengths are compared to theoretical calculations used in r-process models. Results from several different experiments will be presented.
[1] M. R. Mumpower, R. Surman, G.C. McLaughlin, A. Aprahamian. Progress in Particle and Nuclear Physics 86 (2016), 86-126.
The College of Arts