TITLE: Neutrinos and Nucleosynthesis in Supernovae and Gamma Ray Bursts

SPEAKER: Professor Gail McLaughlin,

TIME: Thursday Oct. 7, 2004 at 4 PM

PLACE: George P. Williams, Jr. Lecture Hall, (Olin 101)

Half a century ago it was first understood that the heavy elements, A>70, can be divided into three main categories, one of which is the r-process. This rapid neutron capture process is responsible for elements such as Uranium and Europium, and in fact about half of the heavy elements are made by this way. However, the astrophysical site where it takes place is still a mystery. In the last few years more observational and meteoritic data has become available, hinting that the site is related to the explosion of a massive star. Nevertheless, theoretical attempts over the last decade to produce these elements in supernovae have been a near miss. I'll first review the supernova environment and then suggest a new site, gamma ray bursts. In each case, the neutrinos play an essential role, not just in determining the dynamics of the object, but in setting up conditions for the nucleosynthesis as well.

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