Nuclear Astrophysics Sensitivities
Richard Cyburt
MSU
Nuclear astrophysics addresses questions related to the origin and
evolution of the chemical elements, as well as astrophysical events powered
by nuclear processes. Key to this exploration is reliable and up-to-date
nuclear physics input. Of foremost importance in most astrophysical
scenarios are thermonuclear reaction rates. These needs have driven
many efforts into the systematization and formulation of reaction rate
compilations as well as the exploration of reaction rate sensitivities
in various astrophysical environments.
I will discuss reaction rate formalism and formulation,
including JINA's efforts with the JINA REACLIB Project
(http://groups.nscl.msu.edu/jina/reaclib/db/). I will describe how rates
are used in astrophysical model calculations and how one can analyze the
sensitivities of these models on reaction rates. I will use two examples to
examine sensitivities: Big Bang Nucleosynthesis and Type I X-ray bursts. I
review these astrophysical scenarios and how the resulting sensitivity
studies guide research.
Community communication is highly important, as well as feedback on
the user-inspired tools available online or for download. Nuclear
astrophysics is a broad field, including areas of study in cosmology,
stars and explosions on compact objects. Understanding the nuclear physics
input and data needs for various astrophysical environments allows one
to continually make improvements and keep the feedback cycle from model
to experiment and ultimately removes dependence on nuclear uncertainties
from the astrophysical problem.
Date: | Tuesday, 6 March 2012 |
Time: | 16:00 |
Where: | McGill University |
| Ernest Rutherford Physics Building, R.E. Bell Conference Room (room 103) |
Contact: | Robert Rutledge |
|