Description
Neutron star mergers are unique laboratories of extreme astrophysics. These powerful phenomena hold the key to long-standing questions, ranging from the origin of observed short gamma-ray bursts (associated with energetic jets launched following magnetic-field enhancement likely following the formation of a black hole surrounded by a matter disk) to kilonovae and the origin or heavy elements (associated with low-density matter outflows and rapid nucleosynthesis reactions) and the equation of state for hot and dense matter (encoded in the gravitational-wave signal from the merger dynamics).A particularly exciting aspect of the spectacular GW170817 event, from the nuclear physics perspective, was the subsequent observation of kilonova emission in the optical and the infrared, a transient signal powered by the radioactive decay of heavy nuclei produced in rapid neutron capture (r-process) nucleosynthesis. This was the first convincing evidence of cosmic r-process production. It may even suggest that most heavy elements in the Universe originate in mergers. However, many questions remain and progress in nuclear physics is key to finding the answers. With the first results coming out of the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB) the potential to narrow down uncertain nuclear parameters with collider experiments is evident. This will help focus the nuclear network calculations required to estimate the exotic nuclei produced in mergers, the associated radioactivity and the electromagnetic emission. In addition, improved results for nuclear masses will constrain the key parameters for the equation of state of matter under the extreme conditions present in a neutron star core. This, in turn, helps narrow down the parameter space that needs be considered in simulations that aim to support future gravitational-wave searches and parameter inference.
The fundamental questions associated with the astrophysics effort are closely related to current and future developments in nuclear physics, both on the theory side and for collider experiments. With this broad scope in mind, this three-week program, closely linked to a workshop focused on beyond equation of state aspects [link], aims to bring together experts from across the range of relevant disciplines – from theory to simulations and observations - to engage with the challenges we face as high precision experiments and more sensitive observations become available in the next decade.
| Period | 7 Sept 2025 → 27 Sept 2025 |
|---|---|
| Event type | Conference |
| Location | Seattle, USA United States, WashingtonShow on map |
| Degree of Recognition | International |