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Nuclear Astrophysics is a field at the intersection of nuclear physics and astrophysics, which seeks to understand the nuclear engines of astronomical objects and the origin of the chemical elements. This white paper summarizes progress and status of the field, the new open questions that have emerged, and the tremendous scientific opportunities that have opened up with major advances in capabilities across an ever growing number of disciplines and subfields that need to be integrated. We take a holistic view of the field discussing the unique challenges and opportunities in nuclear astrophysics in regards to science, diversity, education, and the interdisciplinarity and breadth of the field. Clearly nuclear astrophysics is a dynamic field with a bright future that is entering a new era of discovery opportunities., Comment: 96 pages. Submitted to Journal of Physics G

We study the effects of additional cooling due to the emission of a dark matter candidate particle, the dark photon, on the final phases of the evolution of a $15\,M_\odot$ star and resulting modifications of the pre-supernova neutrino signal. For a substantial portion of the dark photon parameter space the extra cooling speeds up Si burning, which results in a reduced number of neutrinos emitted during the last day before core collapse. This reduction can be described by a systematic acceleration of the relevant timescales and the results can be estimated semi-analytically in good agreement with the numerical simulations. Outside the semi-analytic regime we find more complicated effects. In a narrow parameter range, low-mass dark photons lead to an increase of the number of emitted neutrinos because of additional shell burning episodes that delay core collapse. Furthermore, relatively strong couplings produce a thermonuclear runaway during O burning, which could result in a complete disruption of the star but requires more detailed simulations to determine the outcome. Our results show that pre-supernova neutrino signals are a potential probe of the dark photon parameter space., Comment: 14 pages, 14 figures, submitted to ApJ

We present a suite of seven 3D supernova simulations of non-rotating low-mass progenitors using multi-group neutrino transport. Our simulations cover single star progenitors with zero-age main sequence masses between $9.6 M_\odot$ and $12.5 M_\odot$ and (ultra)stripped-envelope progenitors with initial helium core masses between $2.8 M_\odot$ and $3.5 M_\odot$. We find explosion energies between $0.1\,\mathrm{Bethe}$ and $0.4\,\mathrm{Bethe}$, which are still rising by the end of the simulations. Although less energetic than typical events, our models are compatible with observations of less energetic explosions of low-mass progenitors. In six of our models, the mass outflow rate already exceeds the accretion rate onto the proto-neutron star, and the mass and angular momentum of the compact remnant have closely approached their final value, barring the possibility of later fallback. While the proto-neutron star is still accelerated by the gravitational tug of the asymmetric ejecta, the acceleration can be extrapolated to obtain estimates for the final kick velocity. We obtain gravitational neutron star masses between $1.22 M_\odot$ and $1.44 M_\odot$, kick velocities between $11\, \mathrm{km}\, \mathrm{s}^{-1}$ and $695\, \mathrm{km}\, \mathrm{s}^{-1}$, and spin periods from $20\, \mathrm{ms}$ to $2.7\,\mathrm{s}$, which suggests that typical neutron star birth properties can be naturally obtained in the neutrino-driven paradigm. We find a loose correlation between the explosion energy and the kick velocity. There is no indication of spin-kick alignment, but a correlation between the kick velocity and the neutron star angular momentum, which needs to be investigated further as a potential point of tension between models and observations., Comment: 18 pages, 14 figures. Submitted to MNRAS

We propose that detailed data on the star formation history of a dwarf spheroidal galaxy (dSph) may be used to estimate the evolution of the total mass M_g(t) for cold gas in its star-forming disk. Using Fornax as an illustrative example, we estimate its M_g(t) and the corresponding net gas flow rate Delta F(t) assuming a global star formation rate psi(t) = lambda_*(t)[M_g(t)/M_sun]^alpha consistent with observations of nearby galaxies. We identify the onset of the transition in Delta F(t) from a net inflow to a net outflow as the time t_sat at which the Fornax halo became a Milky Way satellite and estimate the evolution of its total mass M_h(t) at t < t_sat using the median halo growth history in the LambdaCDM cosmology and its present mass within the half-light radius derived from observations. We examine three different cases of alpha = 1, 1.5, and 2, and justify the corresponding lambda_*(t) by comparing the gas mass fraction f_g(t) = M_g(t)/M_h(t) at t < t_sat with results from simulations of gas accretion by halos in a reionized universe. We find that the Fornax halo grew to M_h(t_sat) ~ 2x10^9 M_sun at t_sat ~ 5 or 8 Gyr, in broad agreement with previous studies using data on its stellar kinematics and its orbital motion. We describe qualitatively the evolution of Fornax as a satellite and discuss potential extension of our approach to other dSphs., Comment: 13 pages, 11 figures, revised version with significant changes, to appear in MNRAS

We present two new primary mechanisms for the synthesis of the rare nucleus 9Be, both triggered by nu-induced production of 3H followed by 4He(3H,gamma)7Li in the He shells of core-collapse supernovae. For progenitors of ~8M_sun, 7Li(3H,n_0)9Be occurs during the rapid expansion of the shocked He shell. Alternatively, for ultra-metal-poor progenitors of ~11-15M_sun, 7Li(n,gamma)8Li(n,gamma)9Li(e^-anti-nu_e)9Be occurs with neutrons produced by 4He(anti-nu_e,e^+n)3H, assuming a hard effective anti-nu_e spectrum from oscillations (which also leads to heavy element production through rapid neutron capture) and a weak explosion (so the 9Be survives shock passage). We discuss the associated production of 7Li and 11B, noting patterns in LiBeB production that might distinguish the new mechanisms from others., Comment: 5 pages, 2 figures, to be published in Physical Review Letters

We explore the effects of nuclear masses on the temperature and neutron density conditions required for r-process nucleosynthesis using four nuclear mass models augmented by the latest atomic mass evaluation. For each model we derive the conditions for producing the observed abundance peaks at mass numbers A ~ 80, 130, and 195 under the waiting-point approximation and further determine the sets of conditions that can best reproduce the r-process abundance patterns (r-patterns) inferred for the solar system and observed in metal-poor stars of the Milky Way halo. In broad agreement with previous studies, we find that (1) the conditions for producing abundance peaks at A ~ 80 and 195 tend to be very different, which suggests that, at least for some nuclear mass models, these two peaks are not produced simultaneously; (2) the typical conditions required by the critical waiting-point (CWP) nuclei with the N = 126 closed neutron shell overlap significantly with those required by the N=82 CWP nuclei, which enables coproduction of abundance peaks at A ~ 130 and 195 in accordance with observations of many metal-poor stars; and (3) the typical conditions required by the N = 82 CWP nuclei can reproduce the r-pattern observed in the metal-poor star HD 122563, which differs greatly from the solar r-pattern. We also examine how nuclear mass uncertainties affect the conditions required for the r-process and identify some key nuclei including76Ni to 78Ni, 82Zn, 131Cd, and 132Cd for precise mass measurements at rare-isotope beam facilities., Comment: 28 pages,9 figures,1 table

We revisit a neutrino-driven r-process mechanism in the He shell of a core-collapse supernova, finding that it could succeed in early stars of metallicity < solar/1000, at relatively low temperatures and neutron densities, producing A ~ 130 and 195 abundance peaks over ~ 10-20 s. The mechanism is sensitive to the neutrino emission model and to neutrino oscillations. We discuss the implications of an r-process that could alter interpretations of abundance data from metal-poor stars, and point out the need for further calculations that include effects of the supernova shock., Comment: 5 pages, 3 figures, revised version with additional references and some clarifications, to appear in Physical Review Letters

We propose a method for nano-scale characterization of long range magnetic order in diluted magnetic systems to clarify the origins of the room temperature ferromagnetism. The GaN:Mn thin films are grown by metal-organic chemical vapor deposition with the concentration of Ga-substitutional Mn up to 3.8%. Atomic force microscope (AFM) and magnetic force microscope (MFM) characterizations are performed on etched artificial microstructures and natural dislocation pits. Numerical simulations and theoretical analysis on the AFM and MFM data have confirmed the formation of long range magnetic order and ruled out the possibility that nano-clusters contributed to the ferromagnetism. We suggest that delocalized electrons might play a role in the establishment of this long range magnetic order., Comment: 15 pages, 4 figures

Only massive stars contribute to the chemical evolution of the juvenile universe corresponding to [Fe/H]<-1.5. If Type II supernovae (SNe II) are the only relevant sources, then the abundances in the interstellar medium of the juvenile epoch are simply the sum of different SN II contributions. Both low-mass (~8-11M_sun) and normal (~12-25M_sun) SNe II produce neutron stars, which have intense neutrino-driven winds in their nascent stages. These winds produce elements such as Sr, Y, and Zr through charged-particle reactions (CPR). Such elements are often called the light r-process elements, but are considered here as products of CPR and not the r-process. The observed absence of production of the low-A elements (Na through Zn including Fe) when the true r-process elements (Ba and above) are produced requires that only low-mass SNe II be the site if the r-process occurs in SNe II. Normal SNe II produce the CPR elements in addition to the low-A elements. This results in a two-component model that is quantitatively successful in explaining the abundances of all elements relative to hydrogen for -3<[Fe/H]<-1.5. This model explicitly predicts that [Sr/Fe]>-0.32. Recent observations show that there are stars with [Sr/Fe]<-2 and [Fe/H]<-3. This proves that the two-component model is not correct and that a third component is necessary to explain the observations. This leads to a simple three-component model including low-mass and normal SNe II and hypernovae (HNe), which gives a good description of essentially all the data for stars with [Fe/H]<-1.5. We conclude that HNe are more important than normal SNe II in the chemical evolution of the low-A elements, in sharp distinction to earlier models. (Abridged), Comment: 10 pages, 9 figures, to appear in Pub. Astron. Soc. Australia

We have attributed the elements from Sr through Ag in stars of low metallicities ([Fe/H] < -1.5) to charged-particle reactions (CPR) in neutrino-driven winds, which are associated with neutron star formation in low-mass and normal supernovae (SNe) from progenitors of ~ 8 to 11 M_sun and ~ 12 to 25 M_sun, respectively. Using this rule and attributing all Fe production to normal SNe, we previously developed a phenomenological two-component model, which predicts that [Sr/Fe] > -0.32 for all metal-poor stars. This is in direct conflict with the high-resolution data now available, which show that there is a great shortfall of Sr relative to Fe in many stars with [Fe/H] < -3. The same conflict also exists for the CPR elements Y and Zr. We show that the data require a stellar source leaving behind black holes and that hypernovae (HNe) from progenitors of ~ 25 to 50 M_sun are the most plausible candidates. If we expand our previous model to include three components (low-mass and normal SNe and HNe), we find that essentially all of the data are very well described by the new model. The HN yield pattern for the low-A elements from Na through Zn (including Fe) is inferred from the stars deficient in Sr, Y, and Zr. We estimate that HNe contributed ~ 24% of the bulk solar Fe inventory while normal SNe contributed only ~ 9% (not the usually assumed ~ 33%). This implies a greatly reduced role of normal SNe in the chemical evolution of the low-A elements., Comment: 5 pages, 3 figures, contributed talk given at the 10th Symposium on Nuclei in the Cosmos

Studies of nucleosynthesis in neutrino-driven winds from nascent neutron stars show that the elements from Sr through Ag with mass numbers A~88-110 are produced by charged-particle reactions (CPR) during the alpha-process in the winds. Accordingly, we have attributed all these elements in stars of low metallicities ([Fe/H]<-1.5) to low-mass and normal supernovae (SNe) from progenitors of ~8-11M_sun and ~12-25M_sun, respectively, which leave behind neutron stars. Using this rule and attributing all Fe production to normal SNe, we previously developed a phenomenological two-component model, which predicts that [Sr/Fe]>-0.32 for all metal-poor stars. The high-resolution data now available on Sr abundances in Galactic halo stars show that there is a great shortfall of Sr relative to Fe in many stars with [Fe/H]<-3. This is in direct conflict with the above prediction. The same conflict also exists for two other CPR elements Y and Zr. The very low abundances of Sr, Y, and Zr observed in stars with [Fe/H]<-3 thus require a stellar source that cannot be low-mass or normal SNe. We show that this observation requires a stellar source leaving behind black holes and that hypernovae (HNe) from progenitors of ~25-50M_sun are the most plausible candidates. (Abridged), Comment: 42 pages, 8 figures, to appear in ApJ

We present a review of the possible sources for r-process nuclei. It is known that there is as yet no self-consistent mechanism to provide abundant neutrons for a robust r-process in the neutrino-driven winds from nascent neutron stars. We consider that the heavy r-nuclei with mass numbers A>130 (Ba and above) cannot be produced in the neutrino-driven winds. Nonetheless, the r-process and the neutrino-driven winds may be directly or indirectly related by some unknown additional mechanism, which, for example, could provide ejecta with very short dynamic timescales of <0.004 s. This undetermined mechanism must supply a neutron source within the same general stellar sites that undergo core collapse to produce the neutron star. Observational data on low-metallicity stars in the Galactic halo show that sites producing the heavy r-nuclei do not produce Fe or any other elements between N and Ge. Insofar as a forming neutron star is key to producing the heavy r-nuclei, then the only possible sources are supernovae resulting from collapse of O-Ne-Mg cores or accretion-induced collapse of white dwarfs, neither of which produce the elements of the Fe group or those of intermediate mass (above C and N). Using a template star with high enrichments of heavy r-nuclei and another with low enrichments we develop a two-component model based on the abundances of Eu (from sources for heavy r-nuclei) and Fe (from Fe core-collapse supernovae). This model gives very good quantitative predictions for the abundances of all the other elements in those metal-poor stars with [Fe/H]<-1.5 for which the Eu and Fe abundances are known. (Abridged), Comment: 52 pages including figures

We demonstrate that rapid expansion of the shocked surface layers of an O-Ne-Mg core following its collapse can result in r-process nucleosynthesis. As the supernova shock accelerates through these layers, it makes them expand so rapidly that free nucleons remain in disequilibrium with alpha-particles throughout most of the expansion. This allows heavy r-process isotopes including the actinides to form in spite of the very low initial neutron excess of the matter. We estimate that yields of heavy r-process nuclei from this site may be sufficient to explain the Galactic inventory of these isotopes., Comment: 11 pages, 1 figure, to appear in the Astrophysical Journal Letters

A model for the chemical evolution of the intergalactic medium (IGM) is presented using theoretical yields of very massive stars (VMSs) and Type II supernovae (SNe II). It is shown that if [Si/C] is indeed as high as ~0.7 in the IGM, then VMSs associated with pair-instability supernovae (PI-SNe) in low-mass halos at high redshift must produce at least 50% of the Si. The remainder is from later galactic outflows of SN II debris, which also provide most of the C and O. Both sources are required to account for the metal inventory in the IGM. The early VMS production must continue until redshift z~15 so that the efficiency of VMS formation per low-mass halo is significantly below unity. Contributions from the later galactic outflows mainly occur at z~4-6. Using a Salpeter initial mass function, we infer that the number of VMSs producing massive black holes (MBHs) is 0.72 times the the number of VMSs associated with PI-SNe. The amount of metals (particularly Si) in the IGM that is attributable to PI-SNe is thus closely coupled with the total mass of MBHs produced in epochs prior to galaxy formation. Production of ~50% of the Si in the IGM by PI-SNe corresponds to an early inventory of MBHs that is comparable to the global mass budget of the central supermassive black holes in present-day galaxies. (Abridged), Comment: 21 pages, 2 figures, to appear in ApJ (two references added in v2)

We present a discussion of possible sources of C, O, and Si in the IGM using the yields of VMSs and SNe II. The chemical evolution of the IGM is considered based on analytical phenomenological models of hierarchical structure formation. Two regimes are considered: one for gas expulsion by VMSs and SNe II in low-mass halos prior to dissociation of H2 molecules and reionization, and the other for later SN II-driven outflows from intermediate-mass halos. We use recent data on the abundances of C, O, and Si in the IGM inferred from two UVB models. We show that the results from a UVB model including quasars only cannot be explained by existing stellar models. To account for the results, in particular [Si/C], from a softer UVB model requires VMSs to provide more than 15% of the C in the IGM. The preferred scenario is that VMSs in low-mass halos provided between 15% and 60% of the C in the regime of very high redshift (z>15) and that galactic outflows provided the remainder during later epochs (4

Some nuclear and astrophysical aspects of the r-process are discussed. Particular attention is paid to observations of abundances in metal-poor stars and their implications for the astrophysical site and yield patterns of the r-process. The effects of supernova neutrinos and related nuclear processes on the yield patterns are explored. The uncertainties in the theoretical nuclear input for the r-process are discussed and the need for experimental data is emphasized., Comment: 10 pages, 5 figures, Invited Talk at the International Nuclear Physics Conference (INPC2004)

We report on a dedicated effort to identify and study metal-poor stars strongly enhanced in r-process elements ([r/Fe] > 1 dex; hereafter r-II stars), the Hamburg/ESO R-process Enhanced Star survey (HERES). Moderate-resolution (~2A) follow-up spectroscopy has been obtained for metal-poor giant candidates selected from the Hamburg/ESO objective-prism survey (HES) as well as the HK survey to identify sharp-lined stars with [Fe/H] < -2.5dex. For several hundred confirmed metal-poor giants brighter than B~16.5mag (most of them from the HES), ``snapshot'' spectra (R~20,000; S/N~30 per pixel) are being obtained with VLT/UVES, with the main aim of finding the 2-3% r-II stars expected to be among them. These are studied in detail by means of higher resolution and higher S/N spectra. In this paper we describe a pilot study based on a set of 35 stars, including 23 from the HK survey, 8 from the HES, and 4 comparison stars. We discovered two new r-II stars, CS29497-004 ([Eu/Fe] = 1.64 +/- 0.22) and CS29491-069 ([Eu/Fe] = 1.08 +/- 0.23). A first abundance analysis of CS29497-004 yields that its abundances of Ba to Dy are on average enhanced by 1.5dex with respect to iron and the Sun and match a scaled solar r-process pattern well, while Th is underabundant relative to that pattern by 0.3dex, which we attribute to radioactive decay. That is, CS29497-004 seems not to belong to the class of r-process enhanced stars displaying an ``actinide boost'', like CS31082-001 (Hill et al. 2002), or CS30306-132 (Honda et al. 2004b). The abundance pattern agrees well with predictions of the phenomenological model of Qian & Wasserburg., Comment: Accepted for publication in A&A

We present an analytical and phenomenological model for metal enrichment in halos based on hierarchical structure formation. This model assumes that astration of normal stellar populations along with SNe II already occurs at very high redshift. For halos that are not disrupted by SN II explosions, the chemical evolution of the gas and stars is explicitly determined by the rate of gas infall as compared with the astration rate and the corresponding rate of metal production by SNe II per H atom in the gas. This model provides a good description of the data on [Fe/H] for damped Ly alpha systems over a wide range of redshift 0.5 < z < 5. For all halos not disrupted by SN II explosions, if there is a cessation of gas infall, the metallicities of stars follow a bimodal distribution. This distribution is characterized by a sharp peak at the value of [Fe/H] corresponding to the time of infall cessation and by a broad peak at a higher value of [Fe/H] corresponding to the subsequent period of astration during which the bulk of the remaining gas forms stars. Such a distribution may be compared to that observed for the Galactic halo stars. If the gas in a halo is rapidly lost upon cessation of infall, then an assemblage of stars with a very sharply-defined [Fe/H] value will be left behind. This assemblage of stars may be accreted by a larger system and become a globular cluster of the larger system. We also discuss the masses and metallicities of the globular clusters in this model. (Abridged), Comment: 24 pages, 10 figures, to appear in ApJ

Several nuclear physics issues essential to understanding the r-process are discussed. These include validity of the waiting-point approximation, strength of closed neutron shells in neutron-rich nuclei far from stability, and effects of neutrino interaction with such nuclei. The needs for nuclear data in resolving these issues are emphasized., Comment: 7 pages, 3 figures, Invited Talk at the 6th International Conference on Radioactive Nuclear Beams (RNB6)

We present a model for chemical evolution of damped Ly alpha systems considering production of metals by SNe II and infall associated with hierarchical structure formation. The growth of metallicity in these systems is a reflection of the competition between astration and infall. The apparent late turn-on of these systems is due to the late cut-off of infall. The wide range in [Fe/H] at a given redshift is explained by the range of the times for onset of star formation and the range of the times for infall cessation in different systems. The observed lower bound of [Fe/H] = -3 follows from the very rapid initial rise of [Fe/H] subsequent to onset of star formation. To reach [Fe/H] = -3 from a metal-free initial state requires only about 30 Myr so that the probability of observing lower [Fe/H] values is very small., Comment: 4 pages, 2 figures, to appear in ApJL

The astrophysical nature of r-process sites is a long standing mystery and many probable sources have been suggested in the past, among them lower-mass core-collapse supernovae (in the range 8 - 10 Msol), higher-mass core-collapse supernovae (with masses > 20 Msol) and neutron star mergers. In this work, we present a detailed inhomogeneous chemical evolution study that considers for the first time neutron star mergers as major r-process sources, and compare this scenario to the ones in which core-collapse supernovae act as dominant r-process sites. We conclude that, due to the lack of reliable iron and r-process yields as function of progenitor mass, it is not possible at present to distinguish between the lower-mass and higher-mass supernovae scenarios within the framework of inhomogeneous chemical evolution. However, neutron-star mergers seem to be ruled out as the dominant r-process source, since their low rates of occurrence would lead to r-process enrichment that is not consistent with observations at very low metallicities. Additionally, the considerable injection of r-process material by a single neutron-star merger leads to a scatter in [r-process/Fe] ratios at later times which is much too large compared to observations., Comment: 16 Pages, 6 Figures, submitted to A&A

Abundances for 27 elements in the very metal poor dwarf star HE2148-1247 are presented, including many of the neutron capture elements. We establish that HE2148-1247 is a very highly s-process enhanced star with anomalously high Eu as well, Eu/H about half Solar, demonstrating the large addition of heavy nuclei at [Fe/H] = -2.3 dex. Ba and La are enhanced by a somewhat larger factor and reach the solar abundance, while Pb significantly exceeds it. Ba/Eu is ten times the solar r-process ratio but much less than that of the s-process, indicating a substantial r-process addition as well. C and N are also very highly enhanced. We have found that HE2148-1247 is a radial velocity variable. The C, N and the s-process element enhancements thus presumably were produced through mass transfer from a former AGB binary companion. The large enhancement of heavy r-nuclides also requires an additional source as this is far above any inventory in the ISM at such low [Fe/H]. We further hypothesize that accretion onto the white dwarf from the envelope of the star caused accretion induced collapse of the white dwarf, forming a neutron star, which then produced heavy r-nuclides and again contaminated its companion. (abridged), Comment: Accepted by the Astrophysical Journal. Companion paper by Qian and Wasserburg follows

(Abridged) The stellar sites and the complete mechanism of r-process nucleosynthesis are still unresolved issues. From consideration of the observed abundances in metal-poor stars, it is proposed that the production of the heavy r-process nuclei (with mass numbers A>130) is not related to the production of the Fe group elements or of the elements with lower atomic numbers: Na, Mg, Al, Si, Ca, Sc, and Ti. This requires that the production of the heavy r-nuclei not occur in supernovae with extended shell structure, but be associated with either bare neutron stars or SNe II in the range of 8-10 solar masses. From the observations of stars with [Fe/H]=-3 but with high abundances of r-elements, it is clear that these r-process enrichments cannot represent the composition of the interstellar medium from which the stars were formed, but must represent very local contamination from binary companions. Further evidence for very high enrichments of s-process elements in metal-poor stars also requires binary systems for explanation. We propose that the accretion-induced collapse (AIC) of a white dwarf into a neutron star in a binary system may be associated with the production of the heavy r-nuclei and may provide occasional coupling of high r-process and high s-process enrichments in the envelopes of low-mass stars with low [Fe/H]. If we assume that the bulk of the heavy r-nuclei are produced in AIC events, then these events would have produced about 1.6 billion neutron stars in the Galaxy., Comment: references on O-Ne-Mg core collapse and discussion of pulsars added

It has been proposed that very massive stars (VMSs) dominated heavy element production until a metallicity threshold corresponding to [Fe/H]=-3 was reached. This results in a prompt (P) inventory of elements, the abundances of which were determined from observations of Galactic halo stars with [Fe/H]=-3. We calculate Omega_P(E) from the P inventory for a large number of elements in the IGM. Using the available data on Omega(E_ion) for C IV, O VI, and Si IV in Ly alpha systems, we find that the ionization fractions calculated from Omega(E_ion)/Omega_P(E) are, within reasonable uncertainties, compatible with the values estimated from ionization models for Ly alpha systems. This agreement appears to hold from z=0.09 to 4.6, indicating that the bulk of the baryonic matter remains dispersed with a fixed chemical composition. We conclude that the P inventory was established in the epoch prior to z=4.6. The dispersal of processed baryonic matter to the general IGM is considered to be the result of energetic VMS explosions that disrupted baryonic aggregates until the metallicity threshold was reached to permit normal astration. The formation of most galaxies is considered to have occurred subsequent to the achievement of this metallicity threshold in the IGM., Comment: 11 pages, to appear in ApJL

An r-process scenario with fission but no fission cycling is considered to account for the observed abundance patterns of neutron-capture elements in ultra-metal-poor stars. It is proposed that neutrino reactions play a crucial role in inducing the fission of the progenitor nuclei after the r-process freezes out in Type II Supernovae. To facilitate neutrino-induced fission, the proposed r-process scenario is restricted to occur in a low-density environment such as the neutrino-driven wind from the neutron star. Further studies to develop this scenario are emphasized., Comment: 11 pages, 2 figures, to appear in ApJL

(Abridged) We determine the yields of Na to Ni for Type II supernovae (SNe II) and the yield patterns of the same elements for Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) and very massive (>100 M_sun) stars (VMS) using a phenomenological model of stellar nucleosynthesis and the data on a number of stars with -4<[Fe/H]<-3, a single star with [Fe/H]=-2.04, and the sun. We consider that there are two distinct kinds of SNe II: the high-frequency SNe II(H) and the low-frequency SNe II(L). We also consider that VMS were the dominant first-generation stars formed from big bang debris. The yield patterns of Na to Ni for SNe II(H), II(L), and Ia and VMS appear to be well defined. It is found that SNe II(H) produce almost none of these elements, that SNe II(L) can account for the entire solar inventory of Na, Mg, Si, Ca, Ti, and V, and that compared with SNe II(L), VMS underproduce Na, Al, V, Cr, and Mn, overproduce Co, but otherwise have an almost identical yield pattern. A comparison is made between the yield patterns determined here from the observational data and those from ab initio models of nucleosynthesis in SNe II and VMS. The evolution of the other elements relative to Fe is shown to involve three distinct stages, the earliest of which is directly related to the problems of early aggregation and dispersion of baryonic matter. It is argued that the VMS contributions should represent the typical composition of dispersed baryonic matter in the universe., Comment: 33 pages, 14 postscript figures, to appear in ApJ

It is argued that the abundances of r-process related elements in stars with -3<[Fe/H]<-1 can be explained by the contributions of three sources. The sources are: the first generations of very massive (>100 solar masses) stars that are formed from Big Bang debris and are distinct from SNII, and two types of SNII, the H and L events, which can occur only at [Fe/H]>-3. The H events are of high frequency and produce dominantly heavy (A>130) r-elements but no Fe (presumably leaving behind black holes). The L events are of low frequency and produce Fe and dominantly light (A<130) r-elements (essentially none above Ba). By using the observed abundances in two ultra-metal-poor stars and the solar r-abundances, the initial or prompt inventory of elements produced by the first generations of very massive stars and the yields of H and L events can be determined. The abundances of a large number of elements in a star can then be calculated from the model by using only the observed Eu and Fe abundances. To match the model results and the observational data for stars with -3<[Fe/H]<-1 requires that the solar r-abundances for Sr, Y, Zr, and Ba must be significantly increased from the standard values. Whether the solar r-components of these elements used here to obtain a fit to the stellar data can be reconciled with those obtained from solar abundances by subtracting the s-components calculated from models is not clear., Comment: 47 pages, 19 figures, to appear in ApJ

The recent discovery by Cayrel et al. of U in CS 31082-001 along with Os and Ir at greatly enhanced abundances but with [Fe/H]=-2.9 strongly reinforces the argument that there are at least two kinds of SNII sources for r-nuclei. One source is the high-frequency H events responsible for heavy r-nuclei (A>135) but not Fe. The H-yields calculated from data on other ultra-metal-poor stars and the sun provide a template for quantitatively predicting the abundances of all other r-elements. In CS 31082-001 these should show a significant deficiency at A<135 relative to the solar r-pattern. It is proposed that CS 31082-001 should have had a companion that exploded as an SNII H event. If the binary survived the explosion, this star should now have a compact companion, most likely a stellar-mass black hole. Comparison of abundance data with predicted values and a search for a compact companion should provide a stringent test of the proposed r-process model. The U-Th age determined by Cayrel et al. for CS 31082-001 is, to within substantial uncertainties, in accord with the r-process age determined from solar system data. The time gap between Big Bang and onset of normal star formation only allows r-process chronometers to provide a lower limit on the age of the universe., Comment: 5 pages, 1 figure

The dispersion and mean trends of r-process abundances in metal-poor stars are discussed based on a model of diverse supernova sources for the r-process. This model is unique in that its key parameters are inferred from solar system data independent of stellar observations at low metallicities. It is shown that this model provides a good explanation for the observed dispersion and mean trend of Eu abundances over -3 < [Fe/H] < -1. It is also shown that this model provides a means to discuss r-abundances in general. For example, the Ag abundance in any metal-poor star with observed Eu and Fe abundances can be calculated from the model. This approach is demonstrated with success for two stars and can be further tested by future Ag data. The dispersion and mean trend of Ag abundances in metal-poor stars are also calculated for comparison with future observations., Comment: 4 pages, 2 figures, to appear in ApJL (submitted February 1, 2001)

We present a three-component mixing model for the evolution of O abundance relative to Fe, taking into account the contributions of the first very massive (> 100 solar masses) stars formed from Big Bang debris. We show that the observations of O and Fe abundances in metal-poor stars in the Galaxy by Israelian et al. and Boesgaard et al. can be well represented both qualitatively and quantitatively by this model. Under the assumption of an initial Fe ([Fe/H] = -3) and O inventory due to the prompt production by the first very massive stars, the data at -3 < [Fe/H] < -1 are interpreted to result from the addition of O and Fe only from type II supernovae (SNII) to the prompt inventory. At [Fe/H] = -1, SNII still contribute O while both SNII and type Ia supernovae contribute Fe. During this later stage, (O/Fe) sharply drops off to an asymptotic value of 0.8(O/Fe)_sun. The value of (O/Fe) for the prompt inventory at [Fe/H] = -3 is found to be (O/Fe) = 20(O/Fe)_sun. This result suggests that protogalaxies with low ``metallicities'' should exhibit high values of (O/Fe). The C/O ratio produced by the first very massive stars is expected to be much less than 1 so that all the C should be tied up as CO and that C dust and hydrocarbon compounds should be quite rare at epochs corresponding to [Fe/H] < -3., Comment: 25 pages, 8 postscript figures, to appear in ApJ

We apply the phenomenological model used to explain the abundances of Fe and r-process elements in very metal-poor stars in the Galaxy to [Fe/H] of damped Ly alpha systems. It is assumed that the first stars formed after the Big Bang were very massive and promptly enriched the interstellar medium to [Fe/H] ~ -3, at which metallicity formation of normal stars took over. Subsequent Fe enrichment was provided by Type II supernovae. The range of [Fe/H] at a given redshift z for damped Ly alpha systems is explained by the time t* after the Big Bang at which normal star formation started in an individual protogalactic system. The average t* is approx 80% the age of the universe for damped Ly alpha systems at z approx 1.5 to 4.5, indicating a long delay between the Big Bang and the turn-on of protogalaxies. It is inferred that a substantial fraction of the total baryonic matter may not have been aggregated into protogalaxies where normal star formation had occurred down to z ~ 1.5. The data near z = 2.2 suggest that the rate of turn-on of protogalaxies was initially very low and slowly reached a maximum at ~ 3 Gyr after the Big Bang. This may be important in understanding the rate of formation of quasars., Comment: 13 pages, 4 figures, to appear in ApJ Letters

I show that recent observations of r-process abundances in metal-poor stars are difficult to explain if neutron star mergers (NSMs) are the major r-process sources. In contrast, such observations and meteoritic data on Hf182 and I129 in the early solar system support a self-consistent picture of r-process enrichment by supernovae (SNe). While further theoretical studies of r-process production and enrichment are needed for both SNe and NSMs, I emphasize two possible direct observational tests of the SN r-process model: gamma rays from decay of r-process nuclei in SN remnants and surface contamination of the companion by SN r-process ejecta in binaries., Comment: 5 pages, to appear in ApJL

We present a model to explain the wide range of abundances for heavy r-process elements (mass number A > 130) at low [Fe/H]. This model requires rapid star formation and/or an initial population of supermassive stars in the earliest condensed clots of matter to provide a prompt or initial Fe inventory. Subsequent Fe and r-process enrichment was provided by two types of supernovae: one producing heavy r-elements with no Fe on a rather short timescale and the other producing light r-elements (A < or = 130) with Fe on a much longer timescale., Comment: 5 pages, 2 postscript figures, to appear in ApJL

A light sterile neutrino species has been introduced to explain simultaneously the solar and atmospheric neutrino puzzles and the results of the LSND experiment, while providing for a hot component of dark matter. Employing this scheme of neutrino masses and mixings, we show how matter-enhanced active-sterile neutrino transformation followed by active-active neutrino transformation can solve robustly the neutron deficit problem encountered by models of r-process nucleosynthesis associated with neutrino-heated supernova ejecta., Comment: 29 pages, 3 postscript figures, submitted to Phys. Rev. D

We present quantitative predictions for the abundances of r-process elements in stars formed very early in the Galactic history using a phenomenological two-component r-process model based on the I129 and Hf182 inventory in the early solar system. This model assumes that a standard mass of the ISM dilutes the debris from an individual supernova. High frequency supernova H events and low frequency supernova L events are proposed in the model with characteristics determined by the meteoritic data on I129 and Hf182. The yields in an H or L event are obtained from these characteristics and the solar r-process abundances under the assumption that the yield template for the high mass (A > 130) nuclei associated with W182 or the low mass (A < or = 130) nuclei associated with I127 is the same for both the H and L events and follows the corresponding solar r-pattern in each mass region. The abundance of Eu, not Fe, is proposed as a key guide to the age of very metal-poor stars. We predict that stars with log epsilon (Eu) = -2.98 to -2.22 were formed from an ISM contaminated most likely by a single H event within the first 10**7 yr of the Galactic history and should have an Ag/Eu abundance ratio less than the corresponding solar r-process value by a factor of at least 10. Many of the very metal-poor stars observed so far are considered here to have been formed from an ISM contaminated by many (about 10) r-process events. Stars formed from an ISM contaminated only by a pure L event would have an Ag/Eu ratio higher than the corresponding solar r-process value but would be difficult to find due to the low frequency of the L events. However, variations in the relative abundances of the low and high mass regions should be detectable in very metal-poor stars., Comment: 46 pages, 19 figures, to appear in the Schramm Memorial Volume of Physics Reports

We estimate gamma-ray fluxes due to the decay of nuclei beyond Bi209 from a supernova or a supernova remnant assuming that the r-process occurs in supernovae. We find that a detector with a sensitivity of about 10**(-7) photons/cm**2/s at energies of 40 keV to 3 MeV may detect fluxes due to the decay of Ra226, Th229, Am241, Am243, Cf249, and Cf251 in the newly discovered supernova remnant near Vela. In addition, such a detector may detect fluxes due to the decay of Ac227 and Ra228 produced in a future supernova at a distance of about 1 kpc. As 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., Comment: 24 pages, 3 figures, to appear in the October 10, 1999 issue of ApJ

Using the data of Richter et al. (1998) on Te isotopes in diamond grains from a meteorite, we derive bounds on the neutrino fluence and the decay timescale of the neutrino flux relevant for the supernova r-process. Our new bound on the neutrino fluence F after freeze-out of the r-process peak at mass number A = 130 is more stringent than the previous bound F < 0.045 (in units of 10**37 erg/cm**2) of Qian et al. (1997) and Haxton et al. (1997) if the neutrino flux decays on a timescale tau > 0.65 s. In particular, it requires that a fluence of F = 0.031 be provided by a neutrino flux with tau < 0.84 s. Such a fluence may be responsible for the production of the solar r-process abundances at A = 124-126 (Qian et al. 1997; Haxton et al. 1997). Our results are based on the assumption that only the stable nuclei implanted into the diamonds are retained while the radioactive ones are lost from the diamonds upon decay after implantation (Ott 1996). We consider that the nanodiamonds are condensed in an environment with C/O > 1 in the expanding supernova debris or from the exterior H envelope. The implantation of nuclei would have occurred 10**4-10**6 s after r-process freeze-out. This time interval may be marginally sufficient to permit adequate cooling upon expansion for the formation of diamond grains. The mechanisms of preferential retention/loss of the implanted nuclei are not well understood., Comment: AASTeX, 11 pages, 3 Postscript figures

We discuss how detection of gamma-ray emission from the decay of r-process nuclei can improve our understanding of r-process nucleosynthesis. We find that a gamma-ray detector with a sensitivity of 10**(-7)/cm**2/s at 100-700 keV may detect the emission from the decay of Sb125, Cs137, Ce144, Eu155, and Os194 produced in a future Galactic supernova. In addition, such a detector may detect the emission from the decay of Sn126 in the Vela supernova remnant and the diffuse emission from the decay of Sn126 produced by past supernovae in our Galaxy. The required detector sensitivity is similar to what is projected for the proposed Advanced Telescope for High Energy Nuclear Astrophysics (ATHENA). Both the detection of gamma-ray emission from the decay of several r-process nuclei (e.g., Sb125 and Os194) produced in future Galactic supernovae and the detection of emission from the decay of Sn126 in the Vela supernova remnant would prove that supernovae are a site of the r-process. Furthermore, the former detection would allow us to determine whether or not the r-process nuclei are produced in relative proportions specified by the solar r-process abundance pattern in supernova r-process events. Finally, detection of diffuse emission from the decay of Sn126 in our Galaxy would eliminate neutron star/neutron star mergers as the main source for the r-process nuclei near mass number A=126., Comment: 14 pages, AASTeX, submitted to the Astrophysical Journal

The original paper describes neutrino cooling calculations in the presence of asymmetric neutrino opacities due to parity violation in strong magnetic fields. In early April, through the work of P. Arras and D. Lai at Cornell (see astro-ph/9806285) we became aware that the paper contains a serious flaw: although the neutrino scattering opacities depend asymmetrically on the initial and final neutrino momenta, detailed balance requires that there be no cumulative effect from multiple scatterings in the bulk interior of the proto-neutron star where local thermodynamic equilibrium applies to a good approximation. This paper was therefore withdrawn from ApJ in April. Also in April, we submitted an erratum to ApJ Lett. pointing out this error. (The erratum will appear in the July 1, 1998 issue of ApJ Lett.), Comment: This paper was withdrawn from ApJ by the authors in April 1998 due to a serious error

In proto-neutron stars with strong magnetic fields, the cross section for $\nu_e$ ($\bar\nu_e$) absorption on neutrons (protons) depends on the local magnetic field strength due to the quantization of energy levels for the $e^-$ ($e^+$) produced in the final state. If the neutron star possesses an asymmetric magnetic field topology in the sense that the magnitude of magnetic field in the north pole is different from that in the south pole, then asymmetric neutrino emission may be generated. We calculate the absorption cross sections of $\nue$ and $\bnue$ in strong magnetic fields as a function of the neutrino energy. These cross sections exhibit oscillatory behaviors which occur because new Landau levels for the $e^-$ ($e^+$) become accessible as the neutrino energy increases. By evaluating the appropriately averaged neutrino opacities, we demonstrate that the change in the local neutrino flux due to the modified opacities is rather small. To generate appreciable kick velocity ($\sim 300$ km~s$^{-1}$) to the newly-formed neutron star, the difference in the field strengths at the two opposite poles of the star must be at least $10^{16}$~G. We also consider the magnetic field effect on the spectral neutrino energy fluxes. The oscillatory features in the absorption opacities give rise to modulations in the emergent spectra of $\nu_e$ and $\bar\nu_e$., Comment: AASTeX, 25 pages. Expanded introduction and references. This revised version was accepted by ApJ in April 1998 (to appear in the Oct 1 issue)

In proto-neutron stars with strong magnetic fields, the neutrino-nucleon scattering/absorption cross sections depend on the direction of neutrino momentum with respect to the magnetic field axis, a manifestation of parity violation in weak interactions. We study the deleptonization and thermal cooling (via neutrino emission) of proto-neutron stars in the presence of such asymmetric neutrino opacities. Significant asymmetry in neutrino emission is obtained due to multiple neutrino-nucleon scatterings. For an ordered magnetic field threading the neutron star interior, the fractional asymmetry in neutrino emission is about $0.006 (B/10^{14}G)$, corresponding to a pulsar kick velocity of about $200 (B/10^{14}G)$ km/s for a total radiated neutrino energy of $3\times 10^{53}$ erg., Comment: AASTeX, 10 pages including 2 ps figures; ApJ Letter in press (March 10, 1998). Shortened to agree with the published version

(Abridged) It is shown that a semi-quantitative agreement with the gross solar r-process abundance pattern near and above mass number A=130 can be obtained by a superposition of two distinctive kinds of supernova r-process events. These correspond to a low frequency case L and a high frequency case H, which takes into account the low abundance of I129 and the high abundance of Hf182 in the early solar nebula. The lifetime of Hf182 associates the events in case H with the most common Type II supernovae. These events would be mainly responsible for the r-process nuclei near and above A=195. They would also make a significant amount of the nuclei between A=130 and 195, including Hf182, but very little I129. In order to match the solar r-process abundance pattern and to satisfy the I129 and Hf182 constraints, the events in case L, which would make the r-process nuclei near A=130 and the bulk of those between A=130 and 195, must occur 10 times less frequently but eject 10--20 times more r-process material in each event. We speculate that the usual neutron star remnants, and hence prolonged ejection of r-process material, are associated with the events in case L, whereas the more frequently occurring events in case H have ejection of other r-process material terminated by black hole formation during the neutrino cooling phase of the protoneutron star., Comment: 23 pages, AAS LATEX, 8 Postscript figures

In a recent Letter, Kusenko and Segre proposed a new mechanism to explain the observed proper motions of pulsars. Their mechanism was based on the asymmetric neutrino emission induced by neutrino oscillations in the protoneutron star magnetic field. In this note I point out that their estimate of the asymmetry in the neutrino emission is incorrect. A proper calculation shows that their mechanism at least requires a magnetic field of 10**16 G in order to produce the observed average pulsar velocity., Comment: 4 pages, RevTex

If the r-process occurs deep within a Type II supernova, probably the most popular of the proposed sites, abundances of r-process elements may be altered by the intense neutrino flux. We point out that the effects would be especially pronounced for 8 isotopes that can be efficiently synthesized by the neutrino reactions following r-process freeze-out. We show that the observed abundances of these isotopes are entirely consistent with neutrino-induced nucleosynthesis, strongly arguing for a supernova r-process site. The deduced fluences place stringent constraints on the freeze-out radius and dynamic timescale of the r-process., Comment: 11 pages, 2 Postscript figures, RevTex

Neutrinos emitted from near the surface of the hot proto-neutron star produced by a supernova explosion may be subject to significant gravitational redshift at late times. Electron antineutrinos decouple deeper in the gravitational potential well of the neutron star than do the electron neutrinos, so that the electron antineutrinos experience a larger redshift effect than do the electron neutrinos. We show how this differential redshift can increase the electron fraction Ye in the neutrino-heated ejecta from the neutron star. Any r-process nucleosynthesis originating in the neutrino-heated ejecta would require a low Ye, implying that the differential redshift effect cannot be too large. In turn, this effect may allow nucleosynthesis to probe the nuclear equation of state parameters which set the neutron star radius and surface density scale height at times of order tpb = 10 to 25 s after core bounce., Comment: 4 pages, uses espcrc2.sty, contribution to Festschrift for G. E. Brown on the occasion of his 70th birthday

We discuss various neutrino-nucleus interactions in connection with the supernova r-process nucleosynthesis, which possibly occurs in the neutrino-driven wind of a young neutron star. These interactions include absorptions of electron neutrinos and antineutrinos on free nucleons, electron-neutrino captures on neutron-rich nuclei, and neutral-current interactions of heavy-flavor neutrinos with alpha particles and neutron-rich nuclei. We describe how these interactions can affect the r-process nucleosynthesis and discuss the implications of their effects for the physical conditions leading to a successful supernova r-process. We conclude that a low electron fraction and/or a short dynamic time scale may be required to give the sufficient neutron-to-seed ratio for an r-process in the neutrino-driven wind. In the case of a short dynamic time scale, the wind has to be contained during the r-process. Possible mechanisms which can give a low electron fraction or contain the wind are discussed., Comment: 8 pages, uses espcrc1.sty (included), Invited talk at the 4th International Conference on Nuclei in the Cosmos, Notre Dame (1996)

During the first 20 seconds of its life, the enormous neutrino luminosity of a neutron star drives appreciable mass loss from its surface. This neutrino-driven wind has been previously identified as a likely site for the r-process. Qian & Woosley (1996) have derived, both analytically and numerically, the physical conditions relevant for heavy element synthesis in the wind. These conditions include the entropy (S), the electron fraction (Ye), the dynamic time scale, and the mass loss rate. Here we explore the implications of these conditions for nucleosynthesis. We find that the standard wind models derived in that paper are inadequate to make the r-process, though they do produce some rare species above the iron group. We further determine the general restrictions on the entropy, the electron fraction, and the dynamic time scale that are required to make the r-process. In particular, we derive from nuclear reaction network calculations the conditions required to give a sufficient neutron-to-seed ratio for production of the platinum peak. These conditions range from Ye = 0.2 and S < 100 per baryon for reasonable dynamic time scales of 0.001-0.1 s, to Ye = 0.4-0.495 and S > 400 per baryon for a dynamic time scale of 0.1 s. These conditions are also derived analytically to illustrate the physics determining the neutron-to-seed ratio., Comment: 36 pages, 11 Postscript figures, AASTex

During the first 20 seconds of its life, the enormous neutrino luminosity of a neutron star drives appreciable mass loss from its surface. Previous investigations have shown that this neutrino-driven wind could be the site where the r-process occurs. The nucleosynthesis is sensitive to four physical parameters characterizing the wind: its mass loss rate, the entropy per baryon, the electron fraction, and the dynamic time scale. Different authors, using numerical models for supernovae, have arrived at qualitatively different values for these key parameters. Here we derive their values analytically and test our analytic results by numerical calculations using an implicit hydrodynamic code. Employing our analytic and numerical methods, we also investigate how various factors can affect our results. The derived entropy typically falls short, by a factor of two to three, of the value required to produce a strong r-process. Various factors that might give a higher entropy or a more rapid expansion in the wind are discussed., Comment: 56 pages, 1 Postscript table, 5 Postscript figures, AASTex