The origin of the elements
FAIR offers unique opportunities to improve our understanding of explosive nucleosynthesis and the structure of exotic neutron-rich nuclei. By increasing the beam intensity and detector sensitivity, it will be possible for the first time to access nuclei with extremely high neutron numbers and to better understand the r-process at this site.
The Super-FRS collaboration and the HISPEC/DESPEC collaboration will conduct several experiments in the initial phase of FAIR that will investigate the properties of nuclei in areas of the nuclide map that have been little studied. Innovative techniques will be used here, such as the use of inverse reaction kinematics. In short, this means looking at the inverse reaction and then making inferences about the actual reaction.
In addition to experimental measurements, significant progress is also being made in the area of theoretical description. State-of-the-art long-term simulations of neutron star mergers will be massively improved, providing new insights into the formation of the elements.