The origin of the Ca–Ti–Cr–Fe–Ni isotopic anomalies in the inclusion EK-1-4-1 of the Allende meteorite

The origin of the correlated Ca–Ti–Cr–Fe–Ni isotopic anomalies in the Ca–Al-rich inclusion of the EK-1-4-1 of the Allende is a longstanding puzzle. The search for a stellar environment which could explain the enrichment of neutron-rich stable Ca–⋯–Ni isotopes in a self-consistent way requires nuclear physics data far from stability. Recent experimental data have been obtained in the region of the shell closures N=28 and N=40, where the possible progenitors of these nuclei are found. Astrophysical network calculations have been updated by including the new β-decay properties and microscopic predictions of neutron-capture cross sections. Interplay between nuclear structure far from stability and the observed isotopic anomalies is especially evident for the high entropy (S≃150) scenario which would characterize the neutrino-driven wind in a type II supernova. To cite this article: O. Sorlin et al., C. R. Physique 4 (2003).