Electron runaway in turbulent astrophysical plasmas

An astrophysical electron acceleration process is described which involves turbulent plasma effects: the acceleration mechanism will operate in ‘collision free’ magnetoactive astrophysical plasmas when ion-acoustic turbulence is generated by an electric field which acts parallel to the ambient magnetic lines of force. The role of ‘anomalous’ (ion-sound) resistivity is crucial in maintaining the parallel electric field. It is shown that, in spite of the turbulence, a small fraction of the electron population can accelerate freely, i.e. runaway, in the high parallel electric potential. The number density n^(B) of the runaway electron component is of order $\text{n}{}^{\mathrm{(B)}}\text{?}\text{n}\text{2}\text{(}\text{c}{}_{\mathrm{s}}\text{U}{}_{\mathrm{\parallel }}{}^{\mathrm{?}}\text{)}{}^2$, where n = background electron number density, c_s = ion-sound speed and U_∥^? = relative drift velocity between the electron and ion populations. The runaway mechanism and the number density n^(B) do not depend critically on the details of the non-linear saturation of the ion-sound instability.     

Electron capture decay in Jovian planets

In Jovian planets and stars, where interior pressures may be comparable to or even exceed 45 Mbar, extra interior heat may be generated by pressure-accelerated electron capture decay of certain isotopes. These isotopes include ⁴⁰K, ⁵⁰V, ¹²³Te, ¹³⁸La, ²⁶Al, and ³⁶Cl.     

Electron capture in carbon dwarf supernovae

The rates of electron capture on heavier elements under the extreme conditions predicted for dwarf star supernovae have been computed, incorporating modifications that seem to be indicated by present experimental results. An estimate of the maximum possible value of such rates is also given. The distribution of nuclei in nuclear statistical equilibrium has been calculated for the range of expected supernovae conditions, including the effects of the temperature dependence of nuclear partition functions. These nuclide abundance distributions are then used to compute nuclear equilibrium thermodynamic properties. The effects of the electron capture on such equilibrium matter are discussed. The results of supernova numerical hydrodynamics incorporating the computed equilibrium properties and the influence of electron capture are presented. In the context of the ‘carbon detonation’ supernova model, the dwarf central density required to assure core collapse to a neutron star configuration is found to be slightly higher than that obtained by Bruenn (1972) with the electron capture rates of Hansen (1966).     

Electron capture of nuclei in the region surrounding magnetar

Effects of ultra-strong magnetic field on electron capture rates for ⁵⁷Fe, ⁵⁸Co and ⁵⁹Ni have been analyzed in the nuclear shell model and under the Landau energy levels quantized approximation in the ultra-strong magnetic field, the result increase about 3 orders magnitude. The rate of change of electron abundance, $\dot{Y}_{e}$ , for every nuclide and total $\dot{Y}_{e}$ in the condition without magnetic field and B=4.414×10¹⁵ G have been calculated, and exceed about 6 orders of magnitude generally. These conclusions play an important role in future studying the evolution of magnetar.     

An astrophysical oscillator strength for the S ii 94.7-nm resonance line and S abundances in DLAs

By using UV spectra for the O star HD 93521 taken with the ORFEUS II echelle spectrograph, we determine an 'astrophysical' f value for the S  ii   λ 94.7-nm line: f =0.00498_−0.00138^+0.00172 , error at 1 σ level. This is almost a factor of 30 smaller than the guessed value found in the Kurucz data base (  f =0.1472) , which was until now the only one available for this transition. We use our 'astrophysical' f to investigate the S abundance in two damped Ly α absorption systems (DLAs) observed with the UV–Visual Echelle Spectrograph (UVES) at the European Southern Observatory's 8.2-m Kueyen telescope. In the case of the absorber at z _abs=3.02486 towards QSO 0347-3819, we find a sulphur column density which is consistent, within errors, with that determined by Centurión et al. by means of the λ 125.9-nm line, thus providing an external check on the accuracy of our f value. For the damped absorber at z _abs=4.4680 towards BR J0307-4945, we determine a high value of the S abundance, which, however, is probably the result of blending with Ly α forest lines.     

The nuclear structure and associated electron capture rates on odd-Z nucleus 51V in stellar matter

The Gamow-Teller strength distribution function, B(GT), for the odd Z parent ⁵¹V, N?Z=5, up to 30 MeV of excitation energy in the daughter ⁵¹Ti is calculated in the domain of proton-neutron Quasiparticle Random Phase Approximation (pn-QRPA) theory. The pn-QRPA results are compared against other theoretical calculations, (n, p) and high resolution (d, ²He) reaction experiments. For the case of (d, ²He) reaction the calibration was performed for 0≤E _j ≤5.0 MeV, where the authors stressed that within this excitation energy range the ΔL=0 transition strength can be extracted with high accuracy for ⁵¹V. Within this energy range the current pn-QRPA total B(GT) strength 0.79 is in good agreement with the (d, ²He) experiment’s total strength of 0.9±0.1. The pn-QRPA calculated Gamow-Teller centroid at 4.20 MeV in daughter ⁵¹Ti is also in good agreement with high resolution (d, ²He) experiment which placed the Gamow-Teller centroid at 4.1±0.4 MeV in daughter ⁵¹Ti. The low energy detailed Gamow-Teller structure and Gamow-Teller centroid play a sumptuous role in associated weak decay rates and consequently affect the stellar dynamics. The stellar weak rates are sensitive to the location and structure of these low-lying states in daughter ⁵¹Ti. The calculated electron capture rates on ⁵¹V in stellar matter are also in good agreement with the large scale shell model rates.     

Gamow-Teller strength distribution in proton-rich nucleus 57Zn and its implications in astrophysics

Gamow-Teller (GT) transitions play a preeminent role in the collapse of stellar core in the stages leading to a Type-II supernova. The microscopically calculated GT strength distributions from ground and excited states are used for the calculation of weak decay rates for the core-collapse supernova dynamics and for probing the concomitant nucleosynthesis problem. The B(GT) strength for ⁵⁷Zn is calculated in the domain of proton-neutron Quasiparticle Random Phase Approximation (pn-QRPA) theory. No experimental insertions were made (as usually made in other pn-QRPA calculations of B(GT) strength function) to check the performance of the model for proton-rich nuclei. The calculated B(GT) strength distribution is in good agreement with measurements and shows differences with the earlier reported shell model calculation. The pn-QRPA model reproduced the measured low-lying strength for ⁵⁷Zn better in comparison to the KB3G interaction used in the large-scale shell model calculation. The stellar weak rates are sensitive to the location and structure of these low-lying states in daughter ⁵⁷Cu. The structure of ⁵⁷Cu plays a sumptuous role in the nucleosynthesis of proton-rich nuclei. The primary mechanism for producing such nuclei is the rp-process and is believed to be important in the dynamics of the collapsing supermassive stars. Small changes in the binding and excitation energies can lead to significant modifications of the predictions for the synthesis of proton rich isotopes. The ?? ⁺-decay and electron capture (EC) rates on ⁵⁷Zn are compared to the seminal work of Fuller, Fowler and Newman (FFN). The pn-QRPA calculated ?? ⁺-decay rates are generally in good agreement with the FFN calculation. However at high stellar temperatures the calculated ?? ⁺-decay rates are almost half of FFN rates. On the other hand, for rp-process conditions, the calculated electron capture (?? ⁺-decay) rates are bigger than FFN rates by more than a factor 2 (1.5) and may have interesting astrophysical consequences.     

Non-thermal shielding effects on the Compton scattering power in astrophysical plasmas

The non-thermal shielding effects on the inverse Compton scattering are investigated in astrophysical non-thermal Lorentzian plasmas. The inverse Compton power is obtained by the modified Compton scattering cross section in Lorentzian plasmas with the blackbody photon distribution. The total Compton power is also obtained by the Lorentzan distribution of plasmas. It is found that the influence of non-thermal character of the plasma suppresses the inverse Compton power in astrophysical Lorentzian plasmas. It is also found that the non-thermal effect on the inverse Compton power decreases with an increase of the temperature. In addition, the non-thermal effect on the total Compton power with Lorentzan plasmas increases in low-temperature photons and, however, decreases in intermediate-temperature photons with increasing Debye length. The variation of the total Compton power is also discussed.     

The electron capture of nuclides 55Co and 56Ni in the process of stellar core collapse

Using Shell-Model Monte Carlo (SMMC) method and Random Phase Approximation (RPA) theory, the electron capture (EC) and the electron capture cross section (ECCS) of nuclei ⁵⁵Co and ⁵⁶Ni are investigated. We also discuss the rates of the change of electron fraction (RCEF) and the error factor C, which is compared our results with those of AFUD, which calculated by the method of Aufderheide. The results show that the ECCS and the EC rates for ⁵⁵Co and ⁵⁶Ni increased about four orders of magnitude at relative high temperature (such as T ₉=5,7,9). On the other hand, the RCEF for two nuclides decreased greatly, and even exceed four orders of magnitude. The error factor shows ours is agreed reasonably well with AUFD under the higher density surroundings (e.g. ρ7=106, Y _e =0.43; ρ7=506, Y _e =0.42; ρ7=4010, Y _e =0.41). But under the lower density surroundings (e.g. ρ7=3.36, Y _e =0.48) the maximum error is ～14.5 % for ⁵⁵Co but is ～14.0 % for ⁵⁶Ni. The error is ～9.5 % and ～9.0 % for ⁵⁵Co, ⁵⁶Ni at ρ7=5.86, Y _e =0.47 respectively.     

Non-thermal Dupree diffusivity and shielding effects on atomic collisions in astrophysical turbulent plasmas

The influence of non-thermal Dupree turbulence and the plasma shielding on the electron–ion collision is investigated in astrophysical non-thermal Lorentzian turbulent plasmas. The second-order eikonal analysis and the effective interaction potential including the Lorentzian far-field term are employed to obtain the eikonal scattering phase shift and the eikonal collision cross section as functions of the diffusion coefficient, impact parameter, collision energy, Debye length and spectral index of the astrophysical Lorentzian plasma. It is shown that the non-thermal effect suppresses the eikonal scattering phase shift. However, it enhances the eikonal collision cross section in astrophysical non-thermal turbulent plasmas. The effect of non-thermal turbulence on the eikonal atomic collision cross section is weakened with increasing collision energy. The variation of the atomic cross section due to the non-thermal Dupree turbulence is also discussed.     

恒星内部核素~(56)Fe、~(56)Co、~(56)Ni和~(56)Mn电子俘获过程中微子能量损失高斯修正

采用高斯修正法,研究了核素~(56)Fe、~(56)Co、~(56)Ni和~(56)Mn电子俘获过程中微子能量损失.结果表明:对核素的Gamow-Teller(G-T)共振跃迁能级分布的高斯修正使中微子能量损失率增加.在低能跃迁电子俘获过程为主导地位的反应中,高斯修正对中微子能量损失的影响很小,而对高能G-T共振跃迁为主要的电子俘获过程的中微子能量损失的影响将大大增加.如核素~(56)Fe在密度ρ_7=100(ρ_7以10~7 mol·cm~(-3)为单位),高斯函数半宽度△=14.3,18.3,22.3 Mev时,修正差异大约达2个数量级,核素~(56)Ni在△=6.3,18.3Mev差异分别达60%和40%.     

Neutrino energy loss on nuclides 56Fe, 56Co, 56Ni, 56Mn, 56Cr, and 56V by electron capture in magnetars

Based on the theory of relativity, the assumption of a superstrong magnetic field (SMF), and the shell model, the neutrino energy loss (NEL) rates of nuclides ⁵⁶Fe, ⁵⁶Co, ⁵⁶Ni, ⁵⁶Mn, ⁵⁶Cr, and ⁵⁶V by electron capture are investigated in the range of magnetic fields from 10¹³ G to 10¹⁸ G in magnetars. We also discuss the rates of change of the electron fraction (RCEF) in SMF and compare our results in SMF with those of FFN and Nabi, which is for the case without SMF. The results show that the NEL rates are increased greatly and even exceed by eight orders of magnitude in SMF. The RCEF are decreased largely and even exceed by seven orders of magnitude in SMF. On the other hand, our calculated NEL rates with SMF are larger by seven orders of magnitude than FFN’s at B=10¹⁸ G, and even by eight orders of magnitude compared to Nabi’s.     

The fate of pyroclasts produced in explosive eruptions on the asteroid 4 Vesta

Abstract— We evaluate the consequences of explosive activity having taken place during volcanic eruptions on the differentiated asteroid 4 Vesta, which is the likely parent body of the howardite-eucrite-diogenite (HED) meteorites. For a wide range of magma volatile contents, we calculate the eruption speeds and subsequent trajectories of the pyroclastic magma droplets produced. By considering the size distribution and eruption speeds of the droplets, and the mass fluxes at which they are ejected, we show that, under all realistic circumstances, the droplets will have formed lava fountains that were extremely optically dense. As a result, virtually all of the droplets will have reached the surface having suffered a negligible amount of radiative cooling and will have coalesced into lava ponds feeding lava flows. Typically, <1% of the pyroclasts will have undergone enough cooling to allow them to accumulate into a recognizable fall deposit consisting of unwelded or partly welded volcanic glass beads. This result is consistent with the apparent absence of identifiable pyroclastic material in the HED (and other types of) differentiated meteorites.     

The impacts of dust size distribution on the head-on collision of quantum dust-acoustic solitary waves in ultradense astrophysical objects

The head-on collision between two quantum dust-acoustic solitary waves (QDASWs) in ultradense astrophysical objects has been investigated theoretically using the extended Poincaré-Lighthill-Kuo (PLK) method. The Korteweg-de Vries equations and the analytical phase shifts after the head-on collision of the two QDASWs in quantum dusty plasmas are obtained. Numerically, the obtained results demonstrate that the dust size distribution, the quantum corrections of diffraction and the temperatures of electrons and ions have strong effects on the nature of the phase shifts and the trajectories of the two QDASWs after collision.     

Comments on pulses of characteristic energy produced in solar flare detonations and its possible application to other astrophysical plasmas

A qualitative discussion of physical conditions at neutral sheets was developed in an attempt to explain the repetitive pulsed energy-production mechanism, which has been suggested for solar flares. A characteristic energy per pulse appears to depend critically on the magnetic field strength and dipole length applied to a high temperature plasma, and seem to be regulated by discrete characteristic relative changes in the magnetic moment, following Syrovatskii's model. Discrete energy pulses are produced when neutral sheet thickness approaches to critical values, proportional to the characteristic relative changes in the magnetic moment. Repetition of pulses may occur in multi-sheet configurations at magnetically complex active centres, or at a single sheet where the total system energy change exceeds the critical conditions. The time-scale of the pulsed energy release may be explained by the tearing mode instability, and the repetition time-scale might be understood by the Sweet mechanism in limit conditions. The mechanism might have attractive applications in other high temperature astrophysical plasma. An empirical relation is derived for pulses' energy prediction, in orders of magnitude, and some possible tests were suggested. An attempt was made to interpret soft -ray events of cosmic origin.