A new redshift-correlation technique with third-generation GW detectors can constrain the BNS contribution to cosmic r-process nucleosynthesis to 5-6% precision via Fisher forecasts on mock bright- and dark-siren data.
The Emergence of a Lanthanide-Rich Kilonova Following the Merger of Two Neutron Stars
5 Pith papers cite this work. Polarity classification is still indexing.
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abstract
We report the discovery and monitoring of the near-infrared counterpart (AT2017gfo) of a binary neutron-star merger event detected as a gravitational wave source by Advanced LIGO/Virgo (GW170817) and as a short gamma-ray burst by Fermi/GBM and Integral/SPI-ACS (GRB170817A). The evolution of the transient light is consistent with predictions for the behaviour of a "kilonova/macronova", powered by the radioactive decay of massive neutron-rich nuclides created via r-process nucleosynthesis in the neutron-star ejecta. In particular, evidence for this scenario is found from broad features seen in Hubble Space Telescope infrared spectroscopy, similar to those predicted for lanthanide dominated ejecta, and the much slower evolution in the near-infrared Ks-band compared to the optical. This indicates that the late-time light is dominated by high-opacity lanthanide-rich ejecta, suggesting nucleosynthesis to the 3rd r-process peak (atomic masses A~195). This discovery confirms that neutron-star mergers produce kilo-/macronovae and that they are at least a major - if not the dominant - site of rapid neutron capture nucleosynthesis in the universe.
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Relativistic transport model for beta-particles in homologously expanding kilonova ejecta, incorporating per-species atomic data, shows non-local deposition and escape lower thermalization efficiency with analytic prescriptions supplied for light-curve codes.
High-resolution GR neutrino-radiation MHD simulation of 1.35-1.35 Msun BNS merger shows KHI-driven B-field amplification to magnetar levels (~10^50 erg, factor >=316) in 3 ms post-merger.
Magnetically driven shocks from neutron star merger remnants can reheat ejecta to nuclear statistical equilibrium, alter r-process yields, and produce observable changes in kilonova color and light curves.
A review of early optical GRB features including prompt emission, reverse shocks, and afterglow onset, highlighting robotic telescopes' role in constraining jet Lorentz factors and magnetization.
citing papers explorer
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Inferring the role of binary neutron star mergers in r-process nucleosynthesis with multi-messenger observations using Cosmic Explorer and Einstein Telescope
A new redshift-correlation technique with third-generation GW detectors can constrain the BNS contribution to cosmic r-process nucleosynthesis to 5-6% precision via Fisher forecasts on mock bright- and dark-siren data.
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Beta-Particle Transport and Thermalization in Kilonova Ejecta with Detailed Atomic Microphysics
Relativistic transport model for beta-particles in homologously expanding kilonova ejecta, incorporating per-species atomic data, shows non-local deposition and escape lower thermalization efficiency with analytic prescriptions supplied for light-curve codes.
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A magnetar formation in binary neutron star merger
High-resolution GR neutrino-radiation MHD simulation of 1.35-1.35 Msun BNS merger shows KHI-driven B-field amplification to magnetar levels (~10^50 erg, factor >=316) in 3 ms post-merger.
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Effects of magnetically driven shocks on nucleosynthesis and kilonovae from neutron star mergers
Magnetically driven shocks from neutron star merger remnants can reheat ejecta to nuclear statistical equilibrium, alter r-process yields, and produce observable changes in kilonova color and light curves.
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Early Optical Follow-up of Gamma-Ray Bursts: The Critical Role of Robotic Telescopes
A review of early optical GRB features including prompt emission, reverse shocks, and afterglow onset, highlighting robotic telescopes' role in constraining jet Lorentz factors and magnetization.