r-Java : An r-process Code and Graphical User Interface for Heavy-Element Nucleosynthesis

TL;DR

r-Java is a user-friendly computational tool designed for simulating r-process nucleosynthesis, capable of static and dynamic calculations, aiding researchers in understanding heavy-element formation in astrophysical environments.

Contribution

This paper introduces r-Java, a novel r-process simulation code with a graphical interface, enabling flexible static and dynamic nucleosynthesis modeling for the astrophysics community.

Findings

Static simulations explore neutron irradiation and temperature effects.

Dynamic simulations utilize a parameterized expansion model.

The code produces abundance patterns based on entropy considerations.

Abstract

We present r-Java, an r-process code for open use, that performs r-process nucleosynthesis calculations. Equipped with a simple graphical user interface, r-Java is capable of carrying out nuclear statistical equilibrium (NSE) as well as static and dynamic r-process calculations for a wide range of input parameters. In this introductory paper, we present the motivation and details behind r-Java, and results from our static and dynamic simulations. Static simulations are explored for a range of neutron irradiation and temperatures. Dynamic simulations are studied with a parameterized expansion formula. Our code generates the resulting abundance pattern based on a general entropy expression that can be applied to degenerate as well as non-degenerate matter, allowing us to track the rapid density and temperature evolution of the ejecta during the initial stages of ejecta expansion. At present, our calculations are limited to the waiting-point approximation. We encourage the nuclear astrophysics community to provide feedback on the code and related documentation, which is available for download from the website of the Quark-Nova Project: http://quarknova.ucalgary.ca/