Related papers: New constraints on the major neutron source in low…
The 13C(a, n)16O reaction is the major neutron source in low mass asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars, where the main and the strong s process components are synthesised. After a third dredge-up (TDU) episode, 13C burns radiatively in a…
Slow neutron captures at A$\gtrsim$ 85 are mainly guaranteed by the reaction 13C($\alpha$,n)16O in AGB stars, requiring proton injections from the envelope. These were so far assumed to involve a small mass ($\lesssim 10^{-3}$ M$_{\odot}$),…
Recent models for evolved Low Mass Stars (with $M \lesssim 3M_\odot$), undergoing the AGB phase assume that magnetic flux-tube buoyancy drives the formation of $^{13}$C reservoirs in He-rich layers. We illustrate their crucial properties,…
In the past years the observational evidence that s-process elements from Sr to Pb are produced by stars ascending the socalled Asymptotic Giant Branch (or AGB) could not be explained by self-consistent models, forcing researchers to…
In this review we outline our knowledge on slow neutron captures, concentrating on its main part occurring during the final stages of stellar evolution for low or intermediate-mass stars when they evolve during the Asymptotic Giant Branch,…
We identify three isotopic tracers that can be used to constrain the $^{13}C$-pocket and show the correlated isotopic ratios of Sr and Ba in single mainstream presolar SiC grains. These newly measured data can be explained by postprocess…
We present stellar evolutionary tracks and nucleosynthetic predictions for a grid of stellar models of low- and intermediate-mass asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars at $Z=0.001$ ([Fe/H]$=-1.2$). The models cover an initial mass range from…
The production of the elements heavier than iron via slow neutron captures (the s process) is a main feature of the contribution of asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars of low mass (< 5 Msun) to the chemistry of the cosmos. However, our…
Asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars with low initial mass (1 - 3 Msun) are responsible for the production of neutron-capture elements through the main s-process (main slow neutron capture process). The major neutron source is 13C(alpha,…
Within the framework of the current models for the slow neutron capture (s) process in Asymptotic Giant Branch (AGB) stars we explore the uncertainties introduced by the assumptions made on stellar modeling. On the basis of star models…
Among presolar materials recovered in meteorites, abundant SiC and Al$_{2}$O$_{3}$ grains of AGB origins were found. They showed records of C, N, O, $^{26}$Al and s-element isotopic ratios that proved invaluable in constraining the…
The production of the neutron-capture isotopes beyond iron that we observe today in the solar system is the result of the combined contribution of the r-process, the s- process and possibly the i-process. Low-mass AGB (2 < M/Msun < 3) and…
We present the results of s-process nucleosynthesis calculations for AGB stars of different metallicities and initial masses. The computations were based on previously published stellar evolutionary models that account for the III dredge up…
[abridged] We study the s-process in AGB stars using three different stellar evolutionary models computed for a 3Msun and solar metallicity star. First we investigate the formation and the efficiency of the main neutron source. We…
We model the nucleosynthesis during a radiative interpulse phase of a rotating 3Msun Asymptotic Giant Branch (AGB) star. We find an enhanced production of the neutron source species C13 compared to non-rotating models due to shear mixing of…
Slow neutron captures are responsible for the production of about $50\%$ of elements heavier than iron, mainly, occurring during the asymptotic giant branch phase of low-mass stars ($1$ $\lesssim M$/M$_{\odot}$ $\lesssim$ $3$), where the…
Presolar SiC grains formed around Asymptotic Giant Branch (AGB) stars during their carbon-rich phase and contain heavy elements in trace amounts showing the signature of the slow neutron capture process (s process). Thanks to recent…
It is well known that thermally pulsing Asymptotic Giant Branch stars with low mass play a relevant role in the chemical evolution. They have synthesized about 30% of the galactic carbon and provide an important contribution to the…
A major source of uncertainty in AGB models is the partial-mixing process of hydrogen, required for the formation of the so-called $^{13}$C pocket. Among the attempts to derive a self-consistent treatment of this physical process, there are…
We present post process neutron capture computations for Asymptotic Giant Branch stars of 1.5 to 3 Mo and metallicities -1.3 to 0.1. The reference stellar models are computed with the FRANEC code, using the Schwarzschild's criterion for…