How The Gentle Winds Beckon:
r-Process Nucleosynthesis in Neutron Star Merger Winds

My doctoral dissertation, published in the North Carolina State Unviersity ETD System.

Kilonova Emissions from Neutron Star Merger Remnants:
Implications for Nuclear Equation of State

with

R. Somasundaram, G.C. McLaughlin, J.M. Miller, M.R. Mumpower, I. Tews

We investigated the extent to which electromagnetic observations of kilonovae associated with binary neutron star mergers allow us to place constraints on the nuclear equation of state.

Posted on arXiv - Comments are welcome!

Magnetic Field Strength Effects on Nucleosynthesis
from Neutron Star Merger Outflows

with

G.C. McLaughlin, J.M. Miller, M.R. Mumpower

We investigated the role of magnetic field strength on the central engine dynamics of a post-neutron star merger remnant. We used magnetohydrodynamic simulations of three separate black hole accretion disks. We looked at the effect of varying magnetic field strength on ejecta masses, outflow geometry, and r-process production patterns.

Published in The Astrophysical Journal.

The Influence of Beta Decay Rates on r-Process Observables

with

J. Engel, G.C. McLaughlin, M.R. Mumpower, E.M. Ney, R. Surman

We investigated the sensitivity of various aspects of kilonova modeling to beta decay rates of nuclei far from stability. After incorporating these rates into nucleosynthesis calculations, we analyzed differences in kilonova energy generation, light curve predictions, and abundance patterns. Our findings shed light on key nuclei influencing kilonova evolution and the broader understanding of nuclear astrophysics.

Published in The Astrophysical Journal.

Collaboration Papers

I have had the opportunity to be part of some great collaborations. Here is some of our work.

Nuclear Uncertainties Associated with the Nucleosynthesis
in Ejecta of a Black Hole Accretion Disk

M.R. Mumpower, T.M. Sprouse, J.M. Miller, K.A. Lund, J. Cabrera Garcia, N. Vassh, G.C. McLaughlin, R. Surman

A set of roughly 460,000 tracers from a 1.2 second-long post-merger black hole accretion disk were used to explore a variety of nuclear physics models and their impact on r-process abundance predictions.

Published in The Astrophysical Journal.

Emergent Nucleosynthesis From a 1.2 Second Long
Simulation of a Black-Hole Accretion Disk

T.M. Sprouse, K.A. Lund, J.M. Miller, G.C. McLaughlin, M.R. Mumpower

We used a 1.2 second-long post-merger black hole accretion disk using full GRMHD with neutrino transport. We compared results between shorter (0.12 seconds) and longer (1.2 seconds) simulations, finding significant differences in ejected mass and thermodynamic conditions, impacting the nucleosynthetic outcome and allowing us to quantify associated errors.

Published in The Astrophysical Journal.

Superheavy Elements in Kilonovae

E.M. Holmbeck, J. Barnes, K.A. Lund, T.M. Sprouse, G.C. McLaughlin, M.R. Mumpower

We explored the properties of neutron-rich nuclei in neutron star mergers to assess the potential for superheavy element production synthesis and the impact this production could have on kilonova light curve evolution. This study aimed to establish a lower limit on heavy element production in neutron star mergers and find potential signatures of this production in nature.

Published in The Astrophysical Journal.

Kilonovae Across the Nuclear Physics Landscape:
The Impact of Nuclear Physics Uncertainties on r-process-powered Emission

J. Barnes, Y.L. Zhu, K.A. Lund, T.M. Sprouse, N. Vassh, G.C. McLaughlin, M.R. Mumpower, R. Surman

In this study, we investigated the complexities in inferring properties of post-merger outflows from kilonova observations, focusing on the uncertainties in the nuclear physics governing the r-process. We demonstrate how these uncertainties affect predictions of nuclear heating and element synthesis. We found a wide diversity of kilonova luminosities, light curve shapes and colors.

Published in The Astrophysical Journal.

Modeling Kilonova Light Curves: Dependence on Nuclear Physics

Y.L. Zhu, K.A. Lund, J. Barnes, T.M. Sprouse, N. Vassh, G.C. McLaughlin, M.R. Mumpower, R. Surman

We investigated the uncertainties in lanthanide-rich outflows from neutron star mergers stemming from nuclear physics far from stability. We revealed significant uncertainties in key quantities such as nuclear energy generation, bolometric luminosity, as well as critical nuclei that influence late-time heating, aiding in understanding the electromagnetic signals from these merger events.

Published in The Astrophysical Journal.