A unified nucleosynthetic site for the production of heavy isotopes and p-nuclei

TL;DR

This paper proposes a unified model where heavy-ion spallation during a quark-nova event explains the production of both heavy isotopes and p-nuclei, addressing limitations of existing nucleosynthesis models.

Contribution

It introduces a universal nucleosynthesis model involving quark-novae that accounts for the production of a wide range of isotopes and p-nuclei, unifying previous separate mechanisms.

Findings

Spallation in quark-novae produces A<130 nuclei and p-nuclei.

The model explains underproduction issues in current r- and p-process models.

The approach is applicable across different star ages and compositions.

Abstract

Current r-process models under-produce A<130 nuclei. P-process models either underproduce A<100 and 150<A<165 p-nuclei, or have other limitations. We argue that the puzzles in these two mechanisms can be solved by heavy-ion spallation. Spallation happens in the explosive phase transition from a neutron star to a quark star - the quark-nova. The quark-nova triggers the r-process which creates abundant A>130 nuclei, and spallation fragments these isotopes into A<130 nuclei and all 35 p-nuclei. Our model is universal in relation to a star's age, metallicity, and chemistry.