scholarly journals The impact of (n,γ) reaction rate uncertainties of unstable isotopes on the i-process nucleosynthesis of the elements from Ba to W

2021 ◽  
Vol 503 (3) ◽  
pp. 3913-3925
Author(s):  
Pavel A Denissenkov ◽  
Falk Herwig ◽  
Georgios Perdikakis ◽  
Hendrik Schatz

ABSTRACT The abundances of neutron (n)-capture elements in the carbon-enhanced metal-poor (CEMP)-r/s stars agree with predictions of intermediate n-density nucleosynthesis, at Nn ∼ 1013–1015 cm−3, in rapidly accreting white dwarfs (RAWDs). We have performed Monte Carlo simulations of this intermediate-process (i-process) nucleosynthesis to determine the impact of (n,γ) reaction rate uncertainties of 164 unstable isotopes, from 131I to 189Hf, on the predicted abundances of 18 elements from Ba to W. The impact study is based on two representative one-zone models with constant values of Nn = 3.16 × 1014 and 3.16 × 1013 cm−3 and on a multizone model based on a realistic stellar evolution simulation of He-shell convection entraining H in a RAWD model with [Fe/H] = −2.6. For each of the selected elements, we have identified up to two (n,γ) reactions having the strongest correlations between their rate variations constrained by Hauser–Feshbach computations and the predicted abundances, with the Pearson product–moment correlation coefficients |rP| > 0.15. We find that the discrepancies between the predicted and observed abundances of Ba and Pr in the CEMP-i star CS 31062−050 are significantly diminished if the rate of 137Cs(n,γ)138Cs is reduced and the rates of 141Ba(n,γ)142Ba or 141La(n,γ)142La increased. The uncertainties of temperature-dependent β-decay rates of the same unstable isotopes have a negligible effect on the predicted abundances. One-zone Monte Carlo simulations can be used instead of computationally time-consuming multizone Monte Carlo simulations in reaction rate uncertainty studies if they use comparable values of Nn. We discuss the key challenges that RAWD simulations of i process for CEMP-i stars meet by contrasting them with recently published low-Z asymptotic giant branch (AGB) i process.

Author(s):  
Sebastian Eisele ◽  
Fabian M. Draber ◽  
Steffen Grieshammer

First principles calculations and Monte Carlo simulations reveal the impact of defect interactions on the hydration of barium-zirconate.


Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 1889
Author(s):  
Arthur Bongrand ◽  
Charbel Koumeir ◽  
Daphnée Villoing ◽  
Arnaud Guertin ◽  
Ferid Haddad ◽  
...  

Proton therapy (PRT) is an irradiation technique that aims at limiting normal tissue damage while maintaining the tumor response. To study its specificities, the ARRONAX cyclotron is currently developing a preclinical structure compatible with biological experiments. A prerequisite is to identify and control uncertainties on the ARRONAX beamline, which can lead to significant biases in the observed biological results and dose–response relationships, as for any facility. This paper summarizes and quantifies the impact of uncertainty on proton range, absorbed dose, and dose homogeneity in a preclinical context of cell or small animal irradiation on the Bragg curve, using Monte Carlo simulations. All possible sources of uncertainty were investigated and discussed independently. Those with a significant impact were identified, and protocols were established to reduce their consequences. Overall, the uncertainties evaluated were similar to those from clinical practice and are considered compatible with the performance of radiobiological experiments, as well as the study of dose–response relationships on this proton beam. Another conclusion of this study is that Monte Carlo simulations can be used to help build preclinical lines in other setups.


MRS Advances ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (48) ◽  
pp. 2627-2632 ◽  
Author(s):  
Poppy Siddiqua ◽  
Michael S. Shur ◽  
Stephen K. O’Leary

ABSTRACTWe examine how stress has the potential to shape the character of the electron transport that occurs within ZnO. In order to narrow the scope of this analysis, we focus on a determination of the velocity-field characteristics associated with bulk wurtzite ZnO. Monte Carlo simulations of the electron transport are pursued for the purposes of this analysis. Rather than focusing on the impact of stress in of itself, instead we focus on the changes that occur to the energy gap through the application of stress, i.e., energy gap variations provide a proxy for the amount of stress. Our results demonstrate that stress plays a significant role in shaping the form of the velocity-field characteristics associated with ZnO. This dependence could potentially be exploited for device application purposes.


Author(s):  
Nguyen Kim Uyen ◽  
Kyung Yuk Chae ◽  
NgocDuy Nguyen ◽  
DuyLy Nguyen

Abstract The β--decay half-lives of extremely neutron-rich nuclei are important for understanding nucleosynthesis in the r-process. However, most of their half-lives are unknown or very uncertain, leading to the need for reliable calculations. In this study, we updated the coefficients in recent semi-empirical formulae using the newly updated mass (AME2020) and half-life (NUBASE2020) databases to improve the accuracy of the half-life prediction. In particular, we developed a new empirical model for better calculations of the β--decay half-lives of isotopes ranging in Z = 10 – 80 and N = 15-130. We examined the β--decay half-lives of the extremely neutron-rich isotopes at and around the neutron magic numbers of N = 50, 82, and 126 using either five different semi-empirical models or finite-range droplet model and quasi-particle random phase approximation (FRDM+QRPA) method. The β--decay rates derived from the estimated half-lives were used in calculations to evaluate the impact of the half-life uncertainties of the investigated nuclei on the abundance of the r-process. The results show that the half-lives mostly range in 0.001 < T1/2 < 100 s for the nuclei with a ratio of N/Z < 1.9; however, they differ significantly for those with the ratio of N/Z > 1.9. The half-life differences among the models were found to range from a few factors (for N/Z < 1.9 nuclei) to four orders of magnitude (for N/Z > 1.9). These discrepancies lead to a large uncertainty, which is up to four orders of magnitude, in the r-process abundance of isotopes. We also found that the multiple-reflection time-of-flight (MR-TOF) technique is preferable for precise mass measurements because its measuring timescale applies to the half-lives of the investigated nuclei. Finally, the results of this study are useful for studies on the β-decay of unstable isotopes and astrophysical simulations.


Author(s):  
Brittany Neilson ◽  
Dmitrii Paniukov ◽  
Martina I. Klein

Signal detection theory is commonly utilized in the field of human factors. Despite its common use, the assessment of the signal detection theory assumptions is not often cited. The purpose of this research was to provide a preliminary assessment of the impact of assumption violations on estimates of sensitivity commonly used in signal detection theory research. This assessment was performed using Monte Carlo simulations. Our research indicated that violating the homogeneity of variance assumption resulted in estimates of sensitivity varying with changes in the response criterion. However, an unequal number of signal and noise trials, which is common in vigilance research, did not impact the estimates of sensitivity. Based upon our findings, caution should be taken with regard to violations of homogeneity of variance. Future research aims to determine the impact of multiple assumption violations on estimates of sensitivity.


2021 ◽  
Vol 29 ◽  
pp. 117-142
Author(s):  
Steffen Grieshammer ◽  
Sebastian Eisele

Kinetic Monte Carlo simulations are a useful tool to predict and analyze the ionic conductivity in crystalline materials. We present here the basic functionalities and capabilities of our recently published Monte Carlo software for solid state ionics called MOCASSIN, exemplified by simulations of several model systems and real materials. We address the simulation of tracer correlation factors for various structures, the correlation in systems with complex migration mechanisms like interstitialcy or vehicle transport, and the impact of defect interactions on ionic conductivity. Simulations of real materials include a review of oxygen vacancy migration in doped ceria, oxygen interstitial migration in La-rich melilites, and proton conduction in acceptor doped fully hydrated barium zirconate. The results reveal the impact of defect interactions on the ionic conductivity and the importance of the defect distribution. Combinations of these effects can lead to unexpected transport behavior in solid state ionic materials, especially for multiple mobile species. Kinetic Monte Carlo simulations are therefore useful to interpret experimental data which shows unexpected behavior regarding the dependence on temperature and composition.


2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (5) ◽  
pp. 545-550 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel P. Langley ◽  
Mélanie Lagrange ◽  
Ngoc Duy Nguyen ◽  
Daniel Bellet

This work directly compares the percolation threshold of silver nanowire networks to predictions from Monte Carlo simulations, focusing particularly on incorporating the impact of real world imperfections. This SEM image of silver nanowire networks compared to MATLAB simulation based on the physical characteristics of the sample.


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