⁹¹Rb Decay: r-Process Insights Revealed
Understanding ⁹¹Rb's Role in r-Process Nucleosynthesis The rapid neutron-capture process (r-process) is responsible for the creation of approximately half of the elements heavier than iron found in the universe. Understanding this process requires detailed knowledge of the nuclear properties of key isotopes, including the beta decay of rubidium-91 (⁹¹Rb). This isotope presents a unique challenge due to the difficulties in directly measuring its decay properties amidst significant background radiation. Precise measurement of the ⁹¹Rb beta decay strength function is crucial for refining r-process models and furthering our understanding of heavy element nucleosynthesis in stellar environments....