211 research outputs found
r-Java 2.0: the nuclear physics
[Aims:] We present r-Java 2.0, a nucleosynthesis code for open use that
performs r-process calculations as well as a suite of other analysis tools.
[Methods:] Equipped with a straightforward graphical user interface, r-Java 2.0
is capable of; simulating nuclear statistical equilibrium (NSE), calculating
r-process abundances for a wide range of input parameters and astrophysical
environments, computing the mass fragmentation from neutron-induced fission as
well as the study of individual nucleosynthesis processes. [Results:] In this
paper we discuss enhancements made to this version of r-Java, paramount of
which is the ability to solve the full reaction network. The sophisticated
fission methodology incorporated into r-Java 2.0 which includes three fission
channels (beta-delayed, neutron-induced and spontaneous fission) as well as
computation of the mass fragmentation is compared to the upper limit on mass
fission approximation. The effects of including beta-delayed neutron emission
on r-process yield is studied. The role of coulomb interactions in NSE
abundances is shown to be significant, supporting previous findings. A
comparative analysis was undertaken during the development of r-Java 2.0
whereby we reproduced the results found in literature from three other
r-process codes. This code is capable of simulating the physical environment
of; the high-entropy wind around a proto-neutron star, the ejecta from a
neutron star merger or the relativistic ejecta from a quark nova. As well the
users of r-Java 2.0 are given the freedom to define a custom environment. This
software provides an even platform for comparison of different proposed
r-process sites and is available for download from the website of the
Quark-Nova Project: http://quarknova.ucalgary.ca/Comment: 26 pages, 18 figures, 1 tabl
Quark Matter in Neutron Stars: An apercu
The existence of deconfined quark matter in the superdense interior of
neutron stars is a key question that has drawn considerable attention over the
past few decades. Quark matter can comprise an arbitrary fraction of the star,
from 0 for a pure neutron star to 1 for a pure quark star, depending on the
equation of state of matter at high density. From an astrophysical viewpoint,
these two extreme cases are generally expected to manifest different
observational signatures. An intermediate fraction implies a hybrid star, where
the interior consists of mixed or homogeneous phases of quark and nuclear
matter, depending on surface and Coulomb energy costs, as well as other finite
size and screening effects. In this brief review article, we discuss what we
can deduce about quark matter in neutron stars in light of recent exciting
developments in neutron star observations. We state the theoretical ideas
underlying the equation of state of dense quark matter, including color
superconducting quark matter. We also highlight recent advances stemming from
re-examination of an old paradigm for the surface structure of quark stars and
discuss possible evolutionary scenarios from neutron stars to quark stars, with
emphasis on astrophysical observations.Comment: 15 pages, 1 figure. Invited review for Modern Physics Letters
Surface structure of Quark stars with magnetic fields
We investigate the impact of magnetic fields on the electron distribution in
the electrosphere of quark stars. For moderately strong magnetic fields G, quantization effects are generally weak due to the large number
density of electrons at surface, but can nevertheless affect the spectral
features of quark stars. We outline the main observational characteristics of
quark stars as determined by their surface emission, and briefly discuss their
formation in explosive events termed Quark-Novae, which may be connected to the
-process.Comment: 9 pages, 3 figures. Contribution to the proceedings of the IXth
Workshop on High Energy Physics Phenomenology (WHEPP-9), Bhubaneswar, India,
3-14 Jan. 200
Neutrality of a magnetized two-flavor quark superconductor
We investigate the effect of electric and color charge neutrality on the
two-flavor color superconducting (2SC) phase of cold and dense quark matter in
presence of constant external magnetic fields and at moderate baryon densities.
Within the framework of the Nambu-Jona-Lasinio (NJL) model, we study the
inter-dependent evolution of the quark's BCS gap and constituent mass with
increasing density and magnetic field. While confirming previous results
derived for the highly magnetized 2SC phase with color neutrality alone, we
obtain new results as a consequence of imposing charge neutrality. In the
charge neutral gapless 2SC phase (g2SC), a large magnetic field drives the
color superconducting phase transition to a crossover, while the chiral phase
transition is first order. At larger diquark-to-scalar coupling ratio
, where the 2SC phase is preferred, we see hints of the
Clogston-Chandrasekhar limit at a very large value of the magnetic field
(G), but this limit is strongly affected by Shubnikov de
Haas-van Alphen oscillations of the gap, indicating the transition to a
domain-like state.Comment: 19 pages, 7 figures, Matches with the published versio
Numerical Simulation of the Hydrodynamical Combustion to Strange Quark Matter
We present results from a numerical solution to the burning of neutron matter
inside a cold neutron star into stable (u,d,s) quark matter. Our method solves
hydrodynamical flow equations in 1D with neutrino emission from weak
equilibrating reactions, and strange quark diffusion across the burning front.
We also include entropy change due to heat released in forming the stable quark
phase. Our numerical results suggest burning front laminar speeds of 0.002-0.04
times the speed of light, much faster than previous estimates derived using
only a reactive-diffusive description. Analytic solutions to hydrodynamical
jump conditions with a temperature dependent equation of state agree very well
with our numerical findings for fluid velocities. The most important effect of
neutrino cooling is that the conversion front stalls at lower density (below
approximately 2 times saturation density). In a 2-dimensional setting, such
rapid speeds and neutrino cooling may allow for a flame wrinkle instability to
develop, possibly leading to detonation.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figures (animations online at
http://www.capca.ucalgary.ca/~bniebergal/webPHP/research.php
The Strange Star Surface: A Crust with Nuggets
We reexamine the surface composition of strange stars. Strange quark stars
are hypothetical compact stars which could exist if strange quark matter was
absolutely stable. It is widely accepted that they are characterized by an
enormous density gradient ( g/cm) and large electric fields at
surface. By investigating the possibility of realizing a heterogeneous crust,
comprised of nuggets of strange quark matter embedded in an uniform electron
background, we find that the strange star surface has a much reduced density
gradient and negligible electric field. We comment on how our findings will
impact various proposed observable signatures for strange stars.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figure
Muon production in low-energy electron-nucleon and electron-nucleus scattering
Recently, muon production in electron-proton scattering has been suggested as
a possible candidate reaction for the identification of lepton-flavor violation
due to physics beyond the Standard Model. Here we point out that the
Standard-Model processes and can cloud potential beyond-the-Standard-Model signals in
electron-proton collisions. We find that Standard-Model cross
sections exceed those from lepton-flavor-violating operators by several orders
of magnitude. We also discuss the possibility of using a nuclear target to
enhance the signal.Comment: 24 pages. Additional figure showing energy-dependence of total cross
section, minor changes to text. Conclusions unaltered. This version to appear
in Physical Review
Scalar-isoscalar excitation in dense quark matter
We study the spectrum of scalar-isoscalar excitations in the color-flavor
locked phase of dense quark matter. The sigma meson in this phase appears as a
four-quark state (of diquark and anti-diquark) with a well-defined mass and
extremely small width, as a consequence of it's small coupling to two pions.
The quark particle/hole degrees of freedom also contribute significantly to the
correlator just above the threshold 2\Delta where \Delta is the superconducting
gap.Comment: RevTeX, 11 pages, 4 fig
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