{
  "abstract": "The intermediate neutron-capture process ($i$-process) has been invoked to explain the peculiar compositions of carbon-enhanced metal-poor (CEMP) stars enriched in both slow- ($s$) and rapid- ($r$) neutron-capture elements. Recent literature has questioned its operation at higher metallicities, but observational evidence remains limited. We analyse Gemini/GHOST and McDonald/Tull spectra of six $\\rm -0.7 < [Fe/H] < -0.1$ stars identified in GALAH by their extreme Ba and Eu (or Sm) compositions ($\\gtrsim$10$\\times$ solar). We also reanalyse archival spectra of two literature $i$-process candidates. We determine abundances in up to 42 elements (Li through Pb), $^{12}$C/$^{13}$C, and Mg isotopic ratios, and compare to literature barium and CEMP stars and multiple asymptotic giant branch (AGB) model grids. Three stars exhibit extreme [Pb/Fe] (+1.79$\\pm$0.19 to +2.50$\\pm$0.32 dex), and two extreme [Eu/Fe] (+1.10$\\pm$0.11 to +1.30$\\pm$0.11 dex), distinguishing them from typical metal-rich barium stars. Two of these three exhibit abundance patterns that are inconsistent with $s$-process models and best explained by existing $i$-process predictions. The remaining sample is either consistent with $s$-process enrichment or suggestive of atomic diffusion. Both literature candidates are well-fit by the $i$-process model, but conventional $s$-process enrichment cannot be excluded. Our findings reinforce that metal-rich AGB stars contribute to the production of elements classically attributed to the $r$-process. These results identify promising candidates for $i$-process enrichment near solar metallicity and motivate additional $i$-process models to understand the contribution of this nucleosynthetic process to the chemical evolution of the Milky Way disk.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [],
  "article_type": null,
  "arxiv": "2611.05470",
  "author_total": 9,
  "authors": [
    {
      "name": "Catherine Manea"
    },
    {
      "name": "Madeleine McKenzie"
    },
    {
      "name": "Gail Zasowski"
    },
    {
      "name": "Giulia C. Cinquegrana"
    },
    {
      "name": "Amaya Sinha"
    },
    {
      "name": "Sarah G. Kane"
    },
    {
      "name": "Jaden Levine"
    },
    {
      "name": "Ellie Mebius"
    },
    {
      "name": "Aleksandra Winkler"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/0xwk9scvswkkw.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.48550/arxiv.2611.05470",
  "fulltext_url": null,
  "id": "0xwk9scvswkkw",
  "issns": [],
  "landing_url": "https://arxiv.org/abs/2611.05470",
  "language": null,
  "licence": "CC-BY-4.0",
  "licence_label": "CC BY 4.0",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": "CC0-1.0",
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "arxiv",
      "astro-ph.GA"
    ],
    [
      "arxiv",
      "astro-ph.SR"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": null,
  "pdf_url": "https://arxiv.org/pdf/2611.05470",
  "pmcid": null,
  "pmid": null,
  "published": "2026-11-03",
  "publisher": null,
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/0xwk9scvswkkw.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-11-05T15:20:56Z",
      "native_id": "2611.05470",
      "source": "arxiv",
      "url": "https://arxiv.org/abs/2611.05470"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "astronomy",
      "origin": "arxiv:astro-ph.GA",
      "subfield": "galaxies"
    },
    {
      "field": "astronomy",
      "origin": "arxiv:astro-ph.SR",
      "subfield": "stellar"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Searching for Signatures of i-process Nucleosynthesis in Metal-Rich, Lead-rich Barium Stars",
  "title_text": "Searching for Signatures of i-process Nucleosynthesis in Metal-Rich, Lead-rich Barium Stars",
  "type": "preprint",
  "updated_at": "2026-11-09T00:20:18Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/0xwk9scvswkkw",
  "venue": "arXiv",
  "versions": []
}