Researchers Directly Measure Key Proton Capture in Formation of Rare Cosmic Elements

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 04:54:00 +0200

A team of international researchers led by Artemis Tsantiri has achieved a major breakthrough in understanding the formation of rare proton-rich isotopes, known as p-nuclei, in the universe. For the first time, scientists directly measured the reaction in which arsenic-73 captures a proton to form selenium-74 using a rare isotope beam at Michigan State University's Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB). This experiment provides crucial insights into how these elements are produced during supernova explosions, specifically through the gamma process. By recreating this reaction in a controlled laboratory setting, the researchers were able to reduce uncertainties in models predicting the abundance of selenium-74 by half. Despite this progress, the data also revealed discrepancies between models and observed cosmic abundances, indicating that current theories of supernova conditions may need refinement. The experiment involved over 45 scientists from 20 institutions across North America a