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Production of n-rich nuclei in red giant stars

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An Erratum to this article was published on 26 May 2023

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Abstract

We outline a partial historical summary of the steps through which the nucleosynthesis phenomena induced by slow neutron captures (the s-process) were clarified, a scientific achievement in which Franz Käppeler played a major role. We start by recalling the early phenomenological approach, which yielded a basic understanding of the subject even before models for the parent stellar evolutionary stages were developed. Through such a tool, rough limits for the neutron density and exposure were set, and the crucial fact was understood that more than one nucleosynthesis component is required to account for solar abundances of s-process nuclei up to the Pb-Bi region. We then summarize the gradual understanding of the stellar processes actually involved in the production of nuclei from Sr to Pb (the so-called Main Component, achieved in the last decade of the past century and occurring in red giants of low and intermediate mass, M \(\lesssim \) 8 M\(_{\odot }\)) populating, in the HR diagram, the Asymptotic Giant Branch or AGB region. We conclude by giving some details on more recent research concerning mixing mechanisms inducing the activation of the main neutron source, \(^{13}\)C(\(\alpha \),n)\(^{16}\)O.

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Data Availability Statement

This manuscript has no associated data or the data will not be deposited. [Authors’ comment: This manuscript has no associated data. Original data can be found in the quoted references.]

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Acknowledgements

M.B is grateful to the INFN Section of Perugia, to its director, dr. Patrizia Cenci, and to the authorities of the Institute for continued support after retirement. Useful discussions with R. Gallino on the subjects of our longstanding collaboration and friendship and on our contributions to this volume are gratefully recognized. We are particularly indebted to the referees for a very careful analysis and useful suggestions.

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  1. Busso Maurizio and Palmerini Sara contributed equally to this work.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Section of Perugia, INFN, Via A. Pascoli snc, 06123, Perugia, Italy

    Busso Maurizio & Palmerini Sara

  2. Department of Physics and Geology, University of Perugia, Via A. Pascoli snc, 06123, Perugia, Italy

    Palmerini Sara

  3. INAF Osservatorio Astronomico di Roma, via Frascati 33, 00078, Monte Porizio Catonie, RM, Italy

    Palmerini Sara

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  1. Busso Maurizio
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Communicated by Nicolas Alamanos.

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Maurizio, B., Sara, P. Production of n-rich nuclei in red giant stars. Eur. Phys. J. A 59, 68 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1140/epja/s10050-023-00988-8

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