Constraining Collapsar r-Process Models through Stellar Abundances

Abstract

We use observations of heavy elements in very metal-poor stars ([Fe/H] < -2.5) in order to place constraints on the viability of collapsar models as a significant source of the r-process. We combine bipolar explosion nucleosynthesis calculations with recent disk calculations to make predictions of the observational imprints these explosions would leave on very metal-poor stars. We find that a source of low (~ 0.1-0.5 $M_{\odot }$) Fe mass which also yields a relatively high (> 0.08 $M_{\odot }$) r-process mass would, after subsequently mixing and forming new stars, result in [r/Fe] abundances up to three orders of magnitude higher than those seen in stars. In order to match inferred abundances, 10-10${}^3{M}_{\odot }$ of Fe would need be efficiently incorporated into the r-process ejecta. We show that Fe enhancement and hence [r/Fe] dilution from other nearby supernovae is not able to explain the observations unless significant inflow of pristine gas occurs before the ejecta are able to form new stars. Finally, we show that the inferred [Eu/Fe] abundances require levels of gas mixing which are in conflict with other properties of r-process enhanced metal-poor stars. Our results suggest that early r-process production is likely to be spatially uncorrelated with Fe production, a condition which can be satisfied by neutron star mergers due to their large kick velocities and purely r-process yields.

6 pages, 2 figures, accepted for publication in ApJL

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• Neutron Star Mergers and How to Study Them
• Evidence from Disrupted Halo Dwarfs that $r$-process Enrichment via Neutron Star Mergers is Delayed by $\gtrsim 500$ Myrs
• Can Neutron-Star Mergers Explain the r-process Enrichment in Globular Clusters?
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• Signatures of R-process Enrichment in Supernovae from Collapsars
• Collapsar R-Process Yields Can Reproduce [Eu/Fe] Abundance Scatter in Metal-Poor Stars
• Correlations of r-Process Elements in Very Metal-Poor Stars as Clues to their Nucleosynthesis Sites
• Radiogenic Heating and its Influence on Rocky Planet Dynamos and Habitability
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• Simulating Metal Mixing of Both Common and Rare Enrichment Sources in a Low Mass Dwarf Galaxy
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• Signature of Collapsars as Sources for High-energy Neutrinos and $r$-process Nuclei
• Did a Kilonova Set Off in Our Galactic Backyard 3.5 Myr ago?
• Distribution of Europium in The Milky Way Disk; Its Connection to Planetary Habitability and The Source of The R-Process