Export citation

Export citation

Choose format for download:

Download Citation
  • Letter

Investigating the possible existence of hyper-heavy nuclei in a neutron-star environment

M. Veselský1,*, V. Petousis1,†, Ch. C. Moustakidis2, G. A. Souliotis3, and A. Bonasera4,5

  • 1Institute of Experimental and Applied Physics - Czech Technical University, 11000 Prague, Czechia
  • 2Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
  • 3Laboratory of Physical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15784 Athens, Greece
  • 4Cyclotron Institute, Texas A&M University, 77843 College Station, Texas, USA
  • 5Laboratori Nazionali del Sud, INFN, 95125 Catania, Italy

  • *Martin.Veselsky@utef.cvut.cz
  • †vlasios.petousis@cern.ch

Phys. Rev. C 106, L012802 – Published 18 July, 2022

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevC.106.L012802

Abstract

The synthesis of hyper-heavy elements is investigated under conditions simulating neutron star environment. The constrained molecular dynamics approach is used to simulate low energy collisions of extremely n-rich nuclei. A new type of the fusion barrier due to a “neutron wind” is observed when the effect of neutron star environment (screening of Coulomb interaction) is introduced implicitly. When introducing also a background of surrounding nuclei, the nuclear fusion becomes possible down to temperatures of 108 K and synthesis of extremely heavy and n-rich nuclei appears feasible. A possible existence of hyper-heavy nuclei in a neutron star environment could provide a mechanism of extra coherent neutrino scattering or an additional mechanism, resulting in x-ray burst or a gravitational wave signal and, thus, becoming another crucial process adding new information to the suggested models on neutron star evolution.

Physics Subject Headings (PhySH)

Authorization Required

We need you to provide your credentials before accessing this content.

Supplemental Material (Subscription Required)

References (Subscription Required)

Outline

Information

Sign In to Your Journals Account

Filter

Filter

Article Lookup

Enter a citation