Science Overview
The mission of the Exascale Astrophysics for FRIB (ENAF) collaboration is to pursue the astrophysical origins of the elements through simulations of astrophysical objects and events using the highest-performing computational resources available. We are most interested in determining the astrophysical sites where heavy elements may be produced by the astrophysical r-process.
To achieve this mission, we have assembled a collaboration with broad expertise in nuclear physics, astrophysics and computational science in order to attack the many facets of our nucleosynthesis uncertainties. ENAF includes research in the following areas relevant to our mission,
Achieving our mission requires the synergy of these individual research areas. For example, neutrinos play a vital role in determining the composition of the ejecta of neutron star mergers. Therefore, the research efforts on neutrino flavor change provide essential input to our simulations of mergers.
Our work does not end with the simulations of neutron star merger event. In the aftermath of the merger, a kilonova forms, revealing through its photon emission the composition of the material ejected by the merger. By comparing our simulations with astronomical observations, we must explore the nucleosynthesis that results, as well as the potential impact of our imperfect knowledge of the nuclear reactions that contribute to this nucleosynthesis.