English

What we do and do not know about the s-process

Astrophysics 2009-11-11 v1

Abstract

AGB stars are the source for the main component of the ss-process. Here we discuss both the properties which are reasonably well known and those which still suffer from substantial uncertainties. In the former case, we are fairly sure that the ss-process contribution from AGB stars comes from masses between about 1 and 3 \msun\msun, and the dominant neutron source is the 13^{13}C(α(\alpha,n)16^{16}O reaction. In the latter category remains the formation mechanism for the 13^{13}C-pocket. Attempts at including rotation seem to inhibit neutron capture reactions. Explaining the observations seems to require a spread in the size of the 13^{13}C-pocket so some stochastic process, such as rotation, must be involved.

Cite

@article{arxiv.astro-ph/0505424,
  title  = {What we do and do not know about the s-process},
  author = {J. C. Lattanzio and M. A. Lugaro},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:astro-ph/0505424},
  year   = {2009}
}

Comments

To be published in Nuclear Physics A; Invited Review for "Nuclei in the Cosmos VIII", Vancouver, July 2004