Probing r-process production of nuclei beyond 209Bi with gamma rays

Y. Z. Qian, P. Vogel, G. J. Wasserburg

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

10 Scopus citations

Abstract

We estimate gamma-ray fluxes due to the decay of nuclei beyond 209Bi from a supernova or a supernova remnant assuming that the r-process occurs in supernovae. We find that a detector with a sensitivity of ∼10-7 γ cm-2 s-1 at energies from ∼40 keV to ∼3 MeV may detect fluxes due to the decay of 226Ra, 229Th, 241Am, 243Am, 249Cf, and 251Cf in the newly discovered supernova remnant near Vela. In addition, such a detector may detect fluxes due to the decay of 227Ac and 228Ra produced in a future supernova at a distance of ∼1 kpc. Because nuclei with mass numbers A > 209 are produced solely by the r-process, such detections are the best proof for a supernova r-process site. Further, they provide the most direct information on yields of progenitor nuclei with A > 209 at r-process freeze-out. Finally, detection of fluxes due to the decay of r-process nuclei over a range of masses from a supernova or a supernova remnant provides the opportunity to compare yields in a single supernova event with the solar r-process abundance pattern.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)213-219
Number of pages7
JournalAstrophysical Journal
Volume524
Issue number1 PART 1
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 10 1999

Keywords

  • Gamma rays: theory
  • Nuclear reactions, nucleosynthesis, abundances
  • Supernova remnants
  • Supernovae: general

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Probing r-process production of nuclei beyond 209Bi with gamma rays'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this