Importance of Q-values in astrophysical rp-proces

TL;DR

This paper investigates how precise Q-value measurements influence the modeling of the rapid proton capture process in astrophysics, highlighting their critical role in predicting element abundances.

Contribution

It introduces a microscopic optical model based on nucleon interactions and relativistic mean field densities to evaluate the impact of Q-values on reaction rates in astrophysical nucleosynthesis.

Findings

Q-values at A=60 and 64 are crucial for final abundance predictions

Certain Q-values significantly affect the abundance of nuclei near the process endpoint

Reaction rates are sensitive to Q-value variations

Abstract

The importance of measuring Q-values in rapid proton capture process has been investigated. The microscopic optical model, derived using a nucleon nucleon interaction and densities from relativistic mean field calculations, has been utilized to calculate the reaction rates. It has been observed that the Q-values involved in the reactions at waiting points at A = 60 and 64 are very important in determining the final abundance of the process. Some other Q-values also play a crucial role in the final abundance of nuclei near the end point of the process.