Tootfinder

$r$-process Abundance Dispersion in the Globular Cluster M5 using Keck Archival Data
Pranav Nalamwar, Evan N. Kirby, Alice Cai
https://arxiv.org/abs/2508.11001 https://

$r$-process Abundance Dispersion in the Globular Cluster M5 using Keck Archival Data
We studied $28$ RGB stars in the mildly metal-rich globular cluster M5 ([Fe/H] $= -1.29$) using archival high-resolution spectra from the Keck Observatory archive (KOA) to better understand the $r$-process in globular clusters. Previous studies (M15, M92, and NGC 2298) have shown $r$-process dispersion in varying amounts, hinting at the source of the $r$-process in those clusters. We extend these dispersion studies to the more metal-rich cluster M5 by studying the rare-earth peak, specifically …

Effect of Finite-Temperature $\beta$-Decay Rates on the Rapid Neutron Capture Process
Yukiya Saito, Ante Ravli\'c, Pranav Nalamwar, Rebecca Surman
https://arxiv.org/abs/2510.08772

Effect of Finite-Temperature $β$-Decay Rates on the Rapid Neutron Capture Process
$β$-decay is known to play an essential role in the rapid neutron capture process ($r$-process) during $(n, γ) \leftrightarrow (γ, n)$ equilibrium and freeze-out when the neutron-rich nuclei decay back to stability. Recent systematic theoretical studies on $β$-decay at finite temperature indicated that under hot conditions ($T\sim10$~GK), a significant acceleration of $β$-decay rates is expected, especially for nuclei near stability. This corresponds to the early stage of the $r$-process. …