Nucleosynthesis of Light and Heavy Elements in Baryon-Rich Outflows Associated with Gamma-Ray Bursts
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Gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) must originate from low baryon load, ultrarelativistic outflows; however, slower, more baryon-rich outflows (BROs) should also arise in connection with GRBs as ``circum-jet winds'' and/or ``failed GRBs''. We study the possibility of nucleosynthesis within such BROs by conducting detailed reaction network calculations in the framework of the fireball model, showing that they can be interesting sites for synthesis of heavy neutron capture elements, as well as of light elements such as deuterium. These products may be observable in the companion stars of black hole binary systems or in extremely metal-poor stars, offering an interesting probe of conditions in the central engine.
5 pages, 2 figures, slightly modified version of article to be published in Proc. of "GRBs in the Afterglow Era: 3rd Workshop (Rome 2002)"
5 pages, 2 figures, slightly modified version of article to be published in Proc. of "GRBs in the Afterglow Era: 3rd Workshop (Rome 2002)"