From nuclear multifragmentation reactions to supernova explosions

TL;DR

This paper explores the similarities between hot stellar matter in supernovae and nuclear reactions in laboratories, applying statistical methods to model nuclear composition and equations of state in extreme astrophysical environments.

Contribution

It introduces a statistical approach to describe stellar matter by considering an ensemble of nuclear species, bridging nuclear physics experiments and astrophysical phenomena.

Findings

Thermodynamic conditions in supernovae resemble laboratory heavy-ion collisions.

Statistical methods can effectively model nuclear composition in stellar environments.

The approach improves understanding of supernova explosion mechanisms.

Abstract

In this talk I discuss properties of hot stellar matter at sub-nuclear densities which is formed in supernova explosions. I emphasize that thermodynamic conditions there are rather similar to those created in the laboratory by intermediate-energy heavy-ion collisions. Theoretical methods developed for the description of multi-fragment final states in such reactions can be used also for description of the stellar matter. I present main steps of the statistical approach to the equation of state and nuclear composition, dealing with an ensemble of nuclear species instead of one "average" nucleus.