Upcoming Events
Prof. Dr. Almudena Arcones , Technische Universität Darmstadt Institut für Kernphysik (Theory Center) and GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung GmbH
Heavy element production in neutron star mergers and corecollapse supernovae
04.02.2020 (Tuesday)
, 16:40 - 18:10
Recknagel-Bau, Lecture Theatre REC/C213 , Haeckelstr. 3 , 01069 Dresden
Heavy elements like Gold and Uranium are produced by the rapid neutron capture
process (r-process). Extreme neutron-rich conditions are necessary for this process,
which is linked to neutron stars. Two possible astrophysical scenarios have been
suggested as the site of the r-process: core-collapse supernovae (where neutron stars
are born) and neutron star mergers. In 2017, gravitational waves were detected from
the merger of two neutron stars, GW170817, opening a new multimessenger era.
Observations of this event revealed that heavy, neutron-rich nuclei were produced.
These nuclei are unstable and their decay leads to a kilonova light curve. In the talk, I
will present the nucleosynthesis in neutron star mergers and discuss the critical
contribution of core-collapse supernovae to the chemical history of the universe.
After the colloquium (approx. 6 p.m.), female students and staff are invited to a gettogether
with Almudena Arcones in room REC/B202. Over drinks and snacks there will be
the opportunity to talk to the speaker in person and discuss female perspectives on
challenges in studies and professional life.
Almudena Arcones studied Physics in Madrid and in 2002 she moved to Germany for her master
thesis (Diplomarbeit). She did her PhD in the Max Planck Institut for Astrophysics (Garching) and
TU München working in core-collapse supernova simulations with Thomas Janka as supervisor.
In 2017, she moved to Darmstadt for her first postdoc at the theory group of GSI. Her second
postdoc (2010-2012) was in Basel with a Feodor Lynen Postdoctoral Fellowship in the group of
Prof. Thielemann. In 2012, she got a Helmholtz Young Investigator Group at GSI and moved back
to Darmstadt where she was appointed as assistant professor (W1) at the TU Darmstadt. Since
2016, she is associate professor and is leading the ERC starting-grant group EUROPIUM.