Nuclear Data for Astrophysical Modeling

TL;DR

This paper reviews the role of nuclear data in astrophysics, emphasizing the importance of nuclear databases like EXFOR, ENDF, and ENSDF for modeling stellar phenomena and nucleosynthesis.

Contribution

It explores the applicability of USNDP nuclear data libraries for astrophysical modeling and discusses opportunities for integrating nuclear data into astrophysics research.

Findings

Nuclear data critically influence astrophysical models.

USNDP databases have significant potential for astrophysics.

Opportunities exist for enhanced nuclear data analysis in astrophysics.

Abstract

Nuclear physics has been playing an important role in modern astrophysics and cosmology. Since the early 1950's it has been successfully applied for the interpretation and prediction of astrophysical phenomena. Nuclear physics models helped to explain the observed elemental and isotopic abundances and star evolution and provided valuable insights on the Big Bang theory. Today, the variety of elements observed in stellar surfaces, solar system and cosmic rays, and isotope abundances are calculated and compared with the observed values. Consequently, the overall success of the modeling critically depends on the quality of underlying nuclear data that helps to bring physics of macro and micro scales together. To broaden the scope of traditional nuclear astrophysics activities and produce additional complementary information, I will investigate applicability of the U.S. Nuclear Data Program (USNDP) databases for astrophysical applications. EXFOR (Experimental Nuclear Reaction Data) and ENDF (Evaluated Nuclear Data File) libraries have large astrophysics potential; the former library contains experimental data sets while the latter library includes evaluated neutron cross sections. ENSDF (Evaluated Nuclear Structure Data File) database is a primary depository of nuclear structure and decay rates information. The decay rates are essential in stellar nucleosynthesis calculations, and these rates are evaluated using nuclear structure codes. The structure evaluation codes are pure mathematical procedures that can be applied to diverse data samples. A brief review of astrophysical nuclear data needs has been presented. Several opportunities and the corresponding computer tools have been identified. Further work will include extensive analysis of nuclear databases and computer procedures for astrophysical calculations.