Endpoint of $rp$ process using relativistic mean field approach and a new mass formula

TL;DR

This paper uses relativistic mean field calculations and a new mass formula to determine the endpoint of the rp process in X-ray bursters, showing it can produce nuclei up to mass 95 and differs from previous studies.

Contribution

It introduces a novel approach combining relativistic mean field densities with a new mass formula to analyze the rp process endpoint.

Findings

rp process can produce nuclei up to mass 95

Results differ from previous studies

Endpoint depends on temperature-density profiles

Abstract

Densities from relativistic mean field calculations are applied to construct the optical potential and, hence calculate the endpoint of the rapid proton capture ($rp$) process. Mass values are taken from a new phenomenological mass formula. Endpoints are calculated for different temperature- density profiles of various X-ray bursters. We find that the $rp$ process can produce significant quantities of nuclei upto around mass 95. Our results differ from existing works to some extent.