LRP2020: The cosmic origin and evolution of the elements

TL;DR

This paper reviews the current state of nuclear astrophysics, emphasizing Canadian contributions, and outlines strategies to enhance interdisciplinary research, observational capabilities, and computational resources for understanding element origins.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of recent activities in nuclear astrophysics and offers strategic recommendations to sustain and advance Canadian leadership in the field.

Findings

Canadian nuclear astrophysics has a strong historical foundation.

Recent faculty hires have expanded research in transient observation and theory.

Strategic investments are needed in observational facilities and computational infrastructure.

Abstract

The origin of many elements of the periodic table remains an unsolved problem. While many nucleosynthetic channels are broadly understood, significant uncertainties remain regarding certain groups of elements such as the intermediate and rapid neutron-capture processes, the p-process, or the origin of odd-Z elements in the most metal-poor stars. Canada has a long tradition of leadership in nuclear astrophysics, dating back to the work of Alastair Cameron in the 1950s. Recent faculty hires have further boosted activity in the field, including transient observation and theory, survey science on galactic nucleosynthesis, and nuclear experiments. This white paper contains a brief overview of recent activity in the community, highlighting strengths in each sub-field, and provides recommendations to improve interdisciplinary collaboration. Sustaining Canadian leadership in the next decade will require, on the observational side, access to transient and non-transient surveys like LSST, SKA, or MSE, support for target-of-opportunity observing in current and future Canadian telescopes, and participation in next-generation X-ray telescopes such as ATHENA. State-of-the-art theoretical predictions will require an ambitious succession plan for the Niagara supercomputer to support large parallel jobs. We propose a funding instrument for postdoctoral training that reflects the interdisciplinary nature of nuclear astrophysics research, and the creation of a national collaborative funding program that allows for joint projects and workshop organization.