PIRSA:18020093

Neutron star mergers and the cosmic origin of the heavy elements

Siegel, D. (2018). Neutron star mergers and the cosmic origin of the heavy elements. Perimeter Institute. https://pirsa.org/18020093

Siegel, Daniel. Neutron star mergers and the cosmic origin of the heavy elements. Perimeter Institute, Feb. 15, 2018, https://pirsa.org/18020093 

          @misc{ pirsa_PIRSA:18020093,
            doi = {10.48660/18020093},
            url = {https://pirsa.org/18020093},
            author = {Siegel, Daniel},
            keywords = {Strong Gravity},
            language = {en},
            title = {Neutron star mergers and the cosmic origin of the heavy elements},
            publisher = {Perimeter Institute},
            year = {2018},
            month = {feb},
            note = {PIRSA:18020093 see, \url{https://pirsa.org}}
          }

Daniel Siegel

University of Greifswald

Talk number
PIRSA:18020093
Collection
Talk Type
Subject
Abstract

The recent detection of the binary neutron star merger GW170817 by LIGO and Virgo was followed by a firework of electromagnetic counterparts across the entire electromagnetic spectrum. In particular, the ultraviolet, optical, and near-infrared emission is consistent with a kilonova that provided strong evidence for the formation of heavy elements in the merger ejecta by the rapid neutron capture process (r-process). In this talk, I will discuss the state of the art in modeling neutron star mergers from first principles, which represents a multi-physics challenge involving all four fundamental forces and petascale computing. I will present recent results from general-relativistic magnetohydrodynamic simulations and discuss possible scenarios and mass ejection mechanisms that can give rise to the observed kilonova features. In particular, I will argue that massive winds from neutrino-cooled post-merger accretion disks most likely synthesized the heavy r-process elements in GW170817. I will show how this finding (at least partially) concludes the quest for the cosmic origin of the heavy elements, which has been an enduring mystery for more than 70 years.