Institute for Advanced Study / Princeton University Joint Astrophysics Colloquium

The synthesis of heavy elements in the cosmos has proven to be more complex than originally thought. With advancements in observational astronomy and the addition of new signals from gravitational waves and pre-solar grains, new patterns emerge that are forcing us to re-think the classic picture of heavy element nucleosynthesis. In this talk I will discuss the complex contributions of different astrophysical processes to the synthesis of heavy elements. A particular focus will be on neutron-capture processes. I will present experimental results on neutron-capture reaction rates on short-lived nuclei and discuss implications on nucleosynthesis in massive stars and other stellar environments. The experiments I will discuss took place at Argonne National Laboratory and at Michigan State University using the SuN gamma-ray calorimeter.