Let there be neutrons! Hadronic photoproduction from a large flux of high-energy photons

Fuente: arXiv
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Autori principali: Mumpower, Matthew R., Lee, Tsung-Shung H., Lloyd-Ronning, Nicole, Barker, Brandon L., Gross, Axel, Cupp, Samuel, Miller, Jonah M.
Natura: Preprint
Pubblicazione: 2024
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author Mumpower, Matthew R.
Lee, Tsung-Shung H.
Lloyd-Ronning, Nicole
Barker, Brandon L.
Gross, Axel
Cupp, Samuel
Miller, Jonah M.
author_facet Mumpower, Matthew R.
Lee, Tsung-Shung H.
Lloyd-Ronning, Nicole
Barker, Brandon L.
Gross, Axel
Cupp, Samuel
Miller, Jonah M.
contents We propose that neutrons may be generated in high-energy, high-flux photon environments via photo-induced reactions on pre-existing baryons. These photohadronic interactions are expected to occur in astrophysical jets and surrounding material. Historically, these reactions have been attributed to the production of high-energy cosmic rays and neutrinos. We estimate the photoproduction off of protons in the context of gamma-ray bursts, where it is expected there will be sufficient baryonic material that may be encompassing or entrained in the jet. We show that typical stellar baryonic material, even material completely devoid of neutrons, can become inundated with neutrons in situ via hadronic photoproduction. Consequently, this mechanism provides a means for collapsars and other astrophysical sites containing substantial flux of high-energy photons to be favorable for neutron-capture nucleosynthesis.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2411_11831
institution arXiv
publishDate 2024
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Let there be neutrons! Hadronic photoproduction from a large flux of high-energy photons
Mumpower, Matthew R.
Lee, Tsung-Shung H.
Lloyd-Ronning, Nicole
Barker, Brandon L.
Gross, Axel
Cupp, Samuel
Miller, Jonah M.
High Energy Astrophysical Phenomena
Solar and Stellar Astrophysics
Nuclear Theory
We propose that neutrons may be generated in high-energy, high-flux photon environments via photo-induced reactions on pre-existing baryons. These photohadronic interactions are expected to occur in astrophysical jets and surrounding material. Historically, these reactions have been attributed to the production of high-energy cosmic rays and neutrinos. We estimate the photoproduction off of protons in the context of gamma-ray bursts, where it is expected there will be sufficient baryonic material that may be encompassing or entrained in the jet. We show that typical stellar baryonic material, even material completely devoid of neutrons, can become inundated with neutrons in situ via hadronic photoproduction. Consequently, this mechanism provides a means for collapsars and other astrophysical sites containing substantial flux of high-energy photons to be favorable for neutron-capture nucleosynthesis.
title Let there be neutrons! Hadronic photoproduction from a large flux of high-energy photons
topic High Energy Astrophysical Phenomena
Solar and Stellar Astrophysics
Nuclear Theory
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2411.11831