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A number of possible mechanisms have been suggested to generate density inhomogeneities in the early Universe which could survive until the onset of primordial nucleosynthesis and generate neutron-rich regions. In this work we are not…
In this paper we report on a high current density ion beam profile diagnostics with a slit-based system as a reliable method, capable of high thermal load applications. The task arose in frames of a point-like neutron source development for…
We experimentally demonstrate enhanced absorption of near relativistic optical vortex beams in $\mathrm{D_2O}$ plasmas to generate a record fast-neutron yield of $1.45 \times 10^6$ n/s/sr. Beams with a topological charge of 5 were shown to…
A possible mechanism for the formation of heavy-mass elements in supernovae is the rapid neutron-capture-mechanism (r-process). It depends upon the electron-fraction $Y_e$, a quantity which is determined by beta-decay-rates. In this paper,…
Extreme laser pulses driving non-equilibrium processes in high density plasmas permit an increase of the fusion of hydrogen with the boron isotope 11 by nine orders of magnitude of the energy gains above the classical values. This is the…
Laser-driven, high-brilliance secondary sources (electrons, ions, neutrons, X-rays) open new perspectives for compact material probing and imaging of high-speed events. A key advantage is their ability to perform multiplexed probing, as…
We examine electron-capture supernovae (ECSNe) as sources of elements heavier than iron in the solar system and in Galactic halo stars. Nucleosynthesis calculations are performed on the basis of thermodynamic histories of mass elements from…
Ultracold neutrons provide a unique tool for the study of neutron properties. An overview is given of the ultracold neutron (UCN) source at PSI, which produces the highest UCN intensities to fundamental physics experiments by exploiting the…
We present a comprehensive nucleosynthesis study of the neutrino-driven wind in the aftermath of a binary neutron star merger. Our focus is the initial remnant phase when a massive central neutron star is present. Using tracers from a…
In rapid neutron capture, or r-process, nucleosynthesis, heavy elements are built up via a sequence of neutron captures and beta decays that involves thousands of nuclei far from stability. Though we understand the basics of how the…
Neutron capture cross sections of unstable isotopes are important for neutron-induced nucleosynthesis as well as for technological applications. A combination of a radioactive beam facility, an ion storage ring and a high flux reactor would…
In this paper I will discuss how an intense beam of high energy neutrinos produced with conventional technology could be used to further our understanding of neutrino masses and mixings. I will describe the possibility of building such a…
Neutron stars have long been regarded as extra-terrestrial laboratories from which we can learn about extreme energy density matter at low temperatures. In this article, I highlight some of the recent advances made in astrophysical…
Stellar abundances of cerium are of high current interest based both on observations and theoretical models, especially with regard to the neutron--magic $^{140}$Ce isotope. A large discrepancy of $s-$process stellar models relative to…
Creation of electrons and positrons from light alone is a basic prediction of quantum electrodynamics, but yet to be observed. Here we show that it is possible to create ${>}10^8$ positrons by dual laser irradiation of a structured plasma…
We study neutrino process nucleosynthesis in massive stars using newly calculated cross sections, an expanded reaction network, and complete and self-consistent models of the progenitor star. We reevaluate the production of light isotopes…
How are the heavy elements formed? This has been a key open question in physics for decades. Recent direct detections of neutron star mergers and observations of evolved stars show signatures of chemical elements in the blue range of their…
Superradiance emerges from collective spontaneous emission in optically pumped gases, and is characterized by photon emission enhancements of up to $\frac{1}{4}N^{2}$ in an $N$ atom system. The gain mechanism derives from correlations…
The r-process of nucleosynthesis requires a large neutron-to-seed nucleus ratio. This does not, however, that there be an excess of neutrons over protons. If the expansion of the material is sufficiently rapid and the entropy per nucleon is…
The r-process involves neutron-rich nuclei far off stability for which no experimental cross sections are known. Therefore, one has to rely on theory. The difficulties in the predictions are briefly addressed. To investigate the impact of…