X-Ray Bursts and Proton Captures Close to the Dripline

Abstract

The hydrogen-rich accreted envelopes of neutron stars in binary systems are the site for the rapid proton capture nucleosynthethic process (rp-process), which involves nuclei close to the proton dripline. An overview of the relevant reactions and nuclear properties for rp-process studies is given, along with motivations for further experimental nuclear physics studies.

6 pages, 4 figures; Proc. Workshop "The beta Decay, from Weak Interaction to Nuclear Structure", eds. P. Dessagne, A. Michalon, C. Miehe (IRes, Strasbourg 1999), p. 51