Neutron-proton-converter acceleration mechanism at subphotospheres of relativistic outflows

Kazumi Kashiyama, Kohta Murase, Peter Mészáros

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

21 Scopus citations

Abstract

We study a type of particle acceleration that operates via neutron-proton conversion in inelastic nuclear collisions. This mechanism can be expected for relativistic shocks at subphotospheres if relativistic outflows contain neutrons. Using a test-particle approximation, we numerically calculate the energy spectrum and the efficiency of accelerated particles, and show that a good energy fraction of the nucleons can be accelerated. This mechanism may be especially relevant if the shock is radiation mediated, and it would enhance the detectability of GeV-TeV neutrinos.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number131103
JournalPhysical review letters
Volume111
Issue number13
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 26 2013

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General Physics and Astronomy

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