Explosive nucleosynthesis of weak r-process elements in extremely metal-poor core-collapse supernovae

Abstract

There have been attempts to fit the abundance patterns of extremely metal-poor (EMP) stars with supernova (SN) nucleosynthesis models for the elements lighter than Zn. Observations have revealed the presence of EMP stars with a peculiarly high ratio of "weak r-process elements" Sr, Y, and Zr. Although several possible processes were suggested for the origin of these elements, a complete solution for reproducing those ratios has not yet been found. In order to reproduce the abundance patterns of such stars, we investigate a model with neutron-rich matter ejection from the inner region of the conventional mass-cut. We find that explosive nucleosynthesis in a high energy SN (or "hypernova") can reproduce the high abundances of Sr, Y, and Zr but that the enhancements of Sr, Y, and Zr are not achieved by nucleosynthesis in a normal SN. Our results imply that, if these elements are ejected from a normal SN, nucleosynthesis in higher entropy flow than that of the SN shock is required. © 2009. The American Astronomical Society. All rights reserved.