Nucleosynthesis of Nickel-56 from Gamma-Ray Burst Accretion Disks

Dec, 2011
10 pages
Published in:
  • Astrophys.J. 743 (2011) 155
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Abstract:
We examine the prospects for producing Nickel-56 from black hole accretion disks, by examining a range of steady state disk models. We focus on relatively slowly accreting disks in the range of 0.05 - 1 solar masses per second, as are thought to be appropriate for the central engines of long-duration gamma-ray bursts. We find that significant amounts of Nickel-56 are produced over a wide range of parameter space. We discuss the influence of entropy, outflow timescale and initial disk position on mass fraction of Nickel-56 which is produced. We keep careful track of the weak interactions to ensure reliable calculations of the electron fraction, and discuss the role of the neutrinos.
Note:
  • 10 pages, 9 figures