Nucleosynthesis of Nickel-56 from Gamma-Ray Burst Accretion Disks

TL;DR

This paper investigates the production of Nickel-56 in accretion disks around black holes, relevant to gamma-ray burst engines, highlighting conditions that favor its synthesis and the role of neutrinos.

Contribution

It provides a detailed analysis of Nickel-56 synthesis in steady state accretion disks, considering various parameters and weak interactions, which was not comprehensively explored before.

Findings

Nickel-56 is produced over a wide parameter space.

Entropy, outflow timescale, and initial disk position significantly influence Nickel-56 yield.

Neutrino interactions affect the electron fraction and nucleosynthesis outcomes.

Abstract

We examine the prospects for producing Nickel-56 from black hole accretion disks, by examining a range of steady state disk models. We focus on relatively slowly accreting disks in the range of 0.05 - 1 solar masses per second, as are thought to be appropriate for the central engines of long-duration gamma-ray bursts. We find that significant amounts of Nickel-56 are produced over a wide range of parameter space. We discuss the influence of entropy, outflow timescale and initial disk position on mass fraction of Nickel-56 which is produced. We keep careful track of the weak interactions to ensure reliable calculations of the electron fraction, and discuss the role of the neutrinos.