Sensitivity study for s process nucleosynthesis in AGB stars

TL;DR

This study conducts a comprehensive sensitivity analysis of nuclear reaction rates affecting the s-process nucleosynthesis in AGB stars, identifying key reactions that influence isotope production.

Contribution

It provides the first large-scale sensitivity assessment of reaction rates in the main s-process component in AGB stars, highlighting the most influential nuclear reactions.

Findings

22 reaction rates significantly impact s-process abundances

Identified key reactions in the $^{13}$C-pocket and thermal pulses

Guides future experimental efforts to refine reaction rates

Abstract

In this paper we present a large-scale sensitivity study of reaction rates in the main component of the $s$ process. The aim of this study is to identify all rates, which have a global effect on the $s$ process abundance distribution and the three most important rates for the production of each isotope. We have performed a sensitivity study on the radiative $^{13}$C-pocket and on the convective thermal pulse, sites of the $s$ process in AGB stars. We identified 22 rates, which have the highest impact on the $s$-process abundances in AGB stars.