P-process nucleosynthesis in postshock supernova envelope environments

Nuclear transformations giving rise to the production of the p-process (bypassed) elements are examined within the framework established by explosive nucleosynthesis studies. The guiding assumption is that thermonuclear processes occurring in hydrogen-rich matter in supernova envelopes following the passage of a shock wave are responsible for the formation of these nuclei. It is demonstrated that there exists a restrictive range of temperature-density conditions for which the enhanced production of most of the p-process nuclei occurs in relative concentrations consistent with solar system abundances. The implications of these results for galactic nucleosynthesis are discussed.-