Supernovae and Nucleosynthesis : An Investigation of the History of Matter, from the Big Bang to the Present / David Arnett.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Arnett, David, 1940- author.

Series:

Princeton series in astrophysics ; Volume 7.

Princeton Series in Astrophysics Series ; Volume 7

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Cosmology.

Stars--Evolution.

Stars.

Supernovae.

Nucleosynthesis.

Nuclear astrophysics.

Physical Description:

1 online resource : 67 tables, 119 line drawings

Edition:

First edition.

Place of Publication:

Princeton, New Jersey : Princeton University Press, [1996]

Language Note:

In English.

Summary:

This book investigates the question of how matter has evolved since its origin in the Big Bang, from the cosmological synthesis of hydrogen and helium to the generation of the complex set of nuclei that comprise our world and our selves. A central theme is the evolution of gravitationally contained thermonuclear reactors, otherwise known as stars. Our current understanding is presented systematically and quantitatively, by combining simple analytic models with new state-of-the-art computer simulations. The narrative begins with the clues (primarily the solar system abundance pattern), the constraining physics (primarily nuclear and particle physics), and the thermonuclear burning in the Big Bang itself. It continues with a step-by-step description of how stars evolve by nuclear reactions, a critical investigation of supernova explosion mechanisms and the formation of neutron stars and of black holes, and an analysis of how such explosions appear to astronomers (illustrated by comparison with recent observations). It concludes with a synthesis of these ideas for galactic evolution, with implications for nucleosynthesis in the first generation of stars and for the solar system abundance pattern. Emphasis is given to questions that remain open, and to active research areas that bridge the disciplines of astronomy, cosmochemistry, physics, and planetary and space science. Extensive references are given.

Contents:

Frontmatter

Contents

List of Figures

List of Tables

Preface

1 Introduction

2 Abundances of Nuclei

Introduction

2.1 What Are Abundances?

2.2 Solar System Abundances

2.3 Stellar Atmospheres

2.4 Meteorites

2.5 Cosmic Rays

2.6 Other Aspects

3 Some Aspects of Nuclear Physics

3.1 Nuclear Masses

3.2 Nuclear Stability

3.3 Coulomb Barrier

3.4 Resonances

3.5 Reverse Rates

3.6 Heavy-Ion Reactions

3.7 Weak Interactions in Nuclei

3.8 Sources of Rates

4 Nuclear Reaction Networks

4.1 Network Equations

4.2 Solutions: Steady State

4.3 Solutions: Equilibria

4.4 Solutions: General Method

4.5 Energy Generation

4.6 Mixing and Hydrodynamics

4.7 Freezeout

5 Cosmological Nucleosynthesis

5.1 Kinematics

5.2 Radiation and Particles

5.3 Weak Interaction Freezeout

5.4 Cosmological Nucleosynthesis

5.5 Further Implications

6 Some Properties of Stars

6.1 Stellar Evolution Equations

6.2 Standard Model

6.3 Nuclear Energy

6.4 Neutrino Processes

6.5 Stellar Energy

6.6 Ignition Masses

6.7 Final States

7 Hydrogen-Burning Stars

7.1 Birth of Stars

7.2 Burning Processes

7.3 Main Sequence

7.4 Convective Cores

7.5 Shell Burning

7.6 Nucleosynthesis

8 Helium-Burning Stars

8.1 Thermonuclear Features

8.2 Ignition

8.3 Core Nucleosynthesis

8.4 Shell Nucleosynthesis

8.5 M-Ma Relation

8.6 Implications

9 Explosive Nucleosynthesis

9.1 Parameters

9.2 Carbon and Neon

9.3 Oxygen

9.4 Silicon and e-Process

9.5 Neutron Excess and Galactic Evolution

9.6 Yield Puzzle

10 Neutrino-Cooled Stars

10.1 Neutrinos and Convection

10.2 Core Evolution

10.3 Stellar Structure

10.4 Shell Nucleosynthesis

11 Thermonuclear Explosions

11.1 Thermonuclear Flames

11.2 Degenerate Instability

11.3 Convection and Urea

11.4 Yields from Degenerate Instability

11.5 He Detonation

11.6 Pair Instability

11.7 Oxygen Burning and Beyond

12 Gravitational Collapse

12.1 Historical Overview

12.2 Neutronization and Dissociation

12.3 Neutrino Trapping

12.4 Collapse

12.5 Bounce

12.6 Ejection of Matter

13 Supernovae

13.1 An Overview

13.2 Shock Emergence

13.3 Expansion and Radiative Diffusion

13.4 Radioactive Heating

13.5 Recombination

13.6 SN1987A

13.7 Type II Supernovae and SN1993J

13.8 Type I Supernovae

14 Galactic Evolution

14.1 Galactic Evolution Equations

14.2 Initial Mass Functions

14.3 One-Zone Models

14.4 Absolute Yields

14.5 The Galactic Disk

14.6 Primordial Stellar Yields

14.7 Critical Uncertainties

Appendixes

A. Solar System Abundances

B. Equations of State

C. Stellar Structure

D. Supernova Light Curves

References

Index

About the Author

Notes:

Description based on print version record.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9780691221663

0691221669

OCLC:

1206239361