Nucleosynthesis in outflows of compact objects and detection prospects of associated kilonovae

Understand

We perform a comparative analysis of nucleosynthesis yields from binary neutron star (BNS) mergers, black hole-neutron star (BHNS) mergers, and core-collapse supernovae (CCSNe) with the goal of determining which are the most dominant sources of r-process enrichment observed in stars.

• We find that BNS and BHNS binaries may eject similar mass distributions of robust r-process nuclei post merger (up to 3rd peak and actinides, $A\sim200-240$), after accounting for the volumetric event rates.
• Magnetorotational (MR) CCSNe likely undergo a weak r-process (up to $A\sim140$) and contribute to the production of light element primary process (LEPP) nuclei, whereas typical thermal, neutrino-driven CCSNe only synthesize up to 1st r-process peak nuclei ($A\sim80-90$).
• We also find that the upper limit to the rate of MR CCSNe is $\lesssim1\%$ the rate of typical thermal CCSNe; if the rate was higher, then weak r-process nuclei would be overproduced.