Nuclear physics in the Multi-messenger era

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Isotopes needed for cancer therapy (e.g., Thalium, Indium), energy generation (e.g., Uranium, Plutonium), and precious metals like Gold are scarcely found on Earth. All these elements were synthesized during a supernova explosion-the death of a massive star. The matter expelled during the explosion formed our planet. What remains of the star following its death is a neutron star or a black hole, these are known as compact objects. Neutron stars are the densest objects in the Universe (densities reach 109-1015 g/cm3) with the only other system as dense as these stars being the atomic nucleus. Thus studying supernovae, black hole accretion disks and neutron-star mergers teaches us about the still unknown nuclear force. Vice-versa by learning about the nucleus in the lab or through theoretical models teaches us about the mechanisms of stellar explosions and the astronomical observations we obtain when compact objects are formed or merge with each other. Besides processing new elements supernovae and neutron star mergers emit several signals, e.g. electromagnetic and gravitational waves and neutrinos. Scientists have developed sophisticated observatories to record these signals. These data are known collectively as "multi-messengers". These observations and the interpretation we get from how these events happen is deeply connected to the synthesis of elements, energy generation, and the life-death circle of massive stars. The physical theoretical ground required for understanding these phenomena lies on nuclear physics and general relativity.  This proposal addresses knowledge gaps in nuclear physics that are preventing our understanding of heavy element synthesis by developing a new theoretical framework to study nuclear forces and neutrino emissions under extreme conditions, including high density, temperature and strong gravity. Our group will perform numerical simulations to predict element abundances and signals in various observational bands, and transport properties of neutron star crusts. The theoretical predictive power, and understanding of the phenomena, will allow future scientists to manipulate or reproduce similar conditions in the lab to develop diverse technological applications like production of elements and new sources of energy.