Pooja Siwach, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
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Abstract: Astrophysical environments such as supernovae and neutron star mergers serve as natural laboratories for the synthesis of heavy elements—processes that are otherwise impossible to replicate in laboratory settings. To understand nucleosynthesis in these extreme conditions, we need to examine several key phenomena: proton emission which plays crucial role in rapid-proton capture (rp) process, the neutrino oscillations in dense media like supernovae (which provide insights into the rapid-neutron capture process), and the nuclear fission that hinders the formation of very heavy elements. In this talk, I will present how tools from quantum information science—such as quantum simulations, algorithms, and information theory—can enhance our understanding of these complex processes. By leveraging these tools, we can better model the interactions and behaviors that govern nucleosynthesis, potentially opening new pathways to unravel some of the deepest mysteries of the universe.
PAS 236 @ 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM