Publication Abstracts

Truran et al. 1966

Truran, J.W., A.G.W. Cameron, and A. Gilbert, 1966: The approach to nuclear statistical equilibrium. Can. J. Phys., 44, 563-592, doi:10.1139/p66-049.

The transformation of a region composed initially of 28Si to nuclei in the vicinity of the iron peak, which is thought to take place in the late stages of evolution of some stars, is considered in detail. In order to follow these nuclear transformations, a nuclear reaction network is established providing suitable reaction links connecting neighboring nuclei. A method of solution of the network equations is outlined. Thermonuclear reaction rates for all neutron, proton, and alpha-particle reactions involving the nuclei in this network have been determined from a consideration of the statistical properties of nuclei. The evolution of this silicon region has been followed in time for two cases: T = 3×109°K, ρ = 106 g/cm3 and T = 5×109°K, ρ = 107 g/cm3. While both the observed solar and meteoritic abundances display a broad peak in the vicinity of iron, centered on 56Fe, in these calculations 54Fe is found to be the most abundant isotope in this mass range. Beta decays required to change the peak to 56Fe are very slow. As the transformation 228Si → 54Fe + 2p is endothermic by ∼1.3 MeV, these results suggest that the silicon-to-iron conversion may not comprise an exothermic nuclear burning stage of stellar evolution.

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BibTeX Citation

@article{tr04100j,
  author={Truran, J. W. and Cameron, A. G. W. and Gilbert, A.},
  title={The approach to nuclear statistical equilibrium},
  year={1966},
  journal={Canadian Journal of Physics},
  volume={44},
  pages={563--592},
  doi={10.1139/p66-049},
}

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RIS Citation

TY  - JOUR
ID  - tr04100j
AU  - Truran, J. W.
AU  - Cameron, A. G. W.
AU  - Gilbert, A.
PY  - 1966
TI  - The approach to nuclear statistical equilibrium
JA  - Can. J. Phys.
JO  - Canadian Journal of Physics
VL  - 44
SP  - 563
EP  - 592
DO  - 10.1139/p66-049
ER  -

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