Propagation of Hauser-Feshbach uncertainty estimates to r-process nucleosynthesis: Benchmark of statistical property models for neutron rich nuclei far from stability

Understand

Multimessenger observations of the neutron star merger event GW170817 have re-energized the debate over the astrophysical origins of the most massive elements via the r-process nucleosynthesis.

• A key aspect of such studies is comparing astronomical observations to theoretical nucleosynthesis yields in a meaningful way.
• To perform realistic nucleosynthesis calculations, understanding the uncertainty in microphysics details such as nuclear reaction rates is as essential as understanding uncertainties in modeling the astrophysical environment.
• We present an investigation of neutron capture rate calculations' uncertainty away from stability using the Hauser-Feshbach model.