Beta decay studies of r-process nuclei at the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory

TL;DR

This paper discusses how beta-decay measurements of neutron-rich nuclei at NSCL inform astrophysical r-process models, highlighting experimental techniques, results, and their implications for understanding element formation.

Contribution

It presents new beta-decay data for several neutron-rich nuclei relevant to the r-process, using various experimental techniques to improve astrophysical models.

Findings

Measured beta-decay half-lives of nuclei around Ni-78, Se-90, Zr-106, Rh-120

Determined neutron emission probabilities for key r-process nuclei

Provided spectroscopic data on Pd-120

Abstract

The impact of nuclear physics on astrophysical r-process models is discussed, emphasizing the importance of beta-decay properties of neutron-rich nuclei. Several r-process motivated beta-decay experiments performed at the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory are presented. The experiments include the measurement of beta-decay half-lives and neutron emission probabilities of nuclei in regions around Ni-78; Se-90; Zr-106 and Rh-120, as well as spectroscopic studies of Pd-120. A summary on the different experimental techniques employed, data analysis, results and impact on model calculations is presented.