Superheavy Elements in Kilonovae

Holmbeck, Erika M.; Barnes, Jennifer; Lund, Kelsey A.; Sprouse, Trevor M.; McLaughlin, G. C.; Mumpower, Matthew R.

doi:10.3847/2041-8213/acd9cb

Superheavy Elements in Kilonovae

Journal Article · Thu Jun 29 00:00:00 EDT 2023 · The Astrophysical Journal. Letters

DOI:https://doi.org/10.3847/2041-8213/acd9cb· OSTI ID:1987717

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Abstract

As LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA enters its fourth observing run, a new opportunity to search for electromagnetic counterparts of compact object mergers will also begin. The light curves and spectra from the first “kilonova” associated with a binary neutron star merger (NSM) suggests that these sites are hosts of the rapid neutron capture (“ r ”) process. However, it is unknown just how robust elemental production can be in mergers. Identifying signposts of the production of particular nuclei is critical for fully understanding merger-driven heavy-element synthesis. In this study, we investigate the properties of very neutron-rich nuclei for which superheavy elements ( Z ≥ 104) can be produced in NSMs and whether they can similarly imprint a unique signature on kilonova light-curve evolution. A superheavy-element signature in kilonovae represents a route to establishing a lower limit on heavy-element production in NSMs as well as possibly being the first evidence of superheavy-element synthesis in nature. Favorable NSM conditions yield a mass fraction of superheavy elements X _{Z ≥104} ≈ 3 × 10 ⁻² at 7.5 hr post-merger. With this mass fraction of superheavy elements, we find that the component of kilonova light curves possibly containing superheavy elements may appear similar to those arising from lanthanide-poor ejecta. Therefore, photometric characterizations of superheavy-element rich kilonova may possibly misidentify them as lanthanide-poor events.

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Research Organization:: Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation; National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA); National Science Foundation (NSF); USDOE; USDOE Laboratory Directed Research and Development (LDRD) Program; USDOE Office of Science (SC)

Grant/Contract Number:: 89233218CNA000001; AC52-07NA27344; FG02-02ER41216

OSTI ID:: 1987717

Alternate ID(s):: OSTI ID: 1990136

Report Number(s):: LA-UR-23-23123

Journal Information:: The Astrophysical Journal. Letters, Journal Name: The Astrophysical Journal. Letters Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 951; ISSN 2041-8205

Publisher:: American Astronomical SocietyCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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