Astronomy & Space Sciences
Title : | Investigation of the cross-sections and rates of nuclear reactions relevant for stellar nucleosynthesis using theoretical routes and comparison of performance with ANN based programs, and the importance of thermal properties of nuclei in such astrophysical reaction cross-sections |
Area of research : | Astronomy & Space Sciences |
Focus area : | Astrophysics |
Principal Investigator : | Dr. Balaram Dey, Bankura University, West Bengal |
Timeline Start Year : | 2023 |
Timeline End Year : | 2026 |
Contact info : | bdeyinspire@gmail.com |
Details
Executive Summary : | Stellar nucleosynthesis is crucial for the production of elements heavier than iron in the Universe, but understanding it remains elusive. The majority of heavy elements are attributed to the rapid or r and slow or s neutron capture processes, which occur in extremely dense and hot neutron-rich environments such as supernova explosions, neutron star mergers, and continuous He burning in asymptotic giant branches. Some elements in the Universe are proton-rich and could be originated via the p process. Knowing the cross-section and reaction rates of nuclear reactions is essential for determining the abundance of different heavier elements. However, uncertainty in this knowledge can hinder theoretical understanding. The stellar environment is difficult to produce experimentally, making it important to explain existing experimental data using theoretical tools like Hauser-Feshbach model codes like TALYS, EMPIRE, and NON-SMOKER. This study investigates existing experimental data on cross-section and rates regarding important nuclear reactions, particularly for nuclides that are difficult to be produced experimentally. The authors plan to modify existing nuclear reaction codes by adding resonance line shapes in the cross-section and reaction rates, which is rarely done in nuclear codes. They also aim to construct Artificial Neural Network (ANN)-based programs to unearth the cross-section and rates of different reactions using large numbers of existing parameters, which is rare and important for future studies. Additionally, the importance of thermal properties of nucleus in astrophysical reaction cross-section will be investigated. |
Co-PI: | Dr. Srijit Bhattacharya, Barasat Government College, Kolkata,West Bengal-700124 |
Total Budget (INR): | 15,70,800 |
Organizations involved