Equation of state and nucleosynthesis in neutron star mergers (B07)

• Subject Area: Nuclear and Elementary Particle Physics, Quantum Mechanics, Relativity, Fields
• Term: since 2020
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 279384907

In project B07, we study the influence of the nuclear equation of state and neutrino-matter interactions on various observables of neutron star mergers. Gravitational waves constrain the properties of the equation of state at high densities. In the ejected matter, the rapid neutron-capture process leads to radioactive decays that determine the kilonova light curve. In addition, r-process nucleosynthesis produces a characteristic distribution of heavy, stable nuclei that can also be observed in old stars. In the third funding period, we will expand our efforts by including astronomical observations of the oldest stars to compare against our nucleosynthesis predictions.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 1245: Nuclei: From Fundamental Interactions to Structure and Stars
• Applicant Institution: Technische Universität Darmstadt
• Project Heads: Professorin Dr. Almudena Arcones; Dr. Andreas Bauswein; Camilla Juul Hansen, Ph.D.