Chin. Phys., 2007, Vol. 16(9): 2671-2675    DOI: 10.1088/1009-1963/16/9/030
 NUCLEAR PHYSICS Prev   Next

# Effect of strong magnetic field on electron capture of iron group nuclei in crusts of neutron stars

Liu Jing-Jing, Luo Zhi-Quan, Liu Hong-Lin, Lai Xiang-Jun
Institute of Theoretical Physics, China West Normal University, Nanchong 637002, China
Abstract  In this paper electron capture on iron group nuclei in crusts of neutron stars in a strong magnetic field is investigated. The results show that the magnetic fields have only a slight effect on electron capture rates in a range of 10$^{8}-10^{13}$G on surfaces of most neutron stars, whereas for some magnetars the magnetic fields range from 10$^{13}$ to 10$^{18}$~G. The electron capture rates of most iron group nuclei are greatly decreased, reduced by even four orders of magnitude due to the strong magnetic field.
Received:  12 December 2006      Published:  20 September 2007
 PACS: 23.40.-s (β-decay;double β-decay; electron and muon capture) 26.30.-k (Nucleosynthesis in novae, supernovae, and other explosive environments) 95.30.Cq (Elementary particle processes) 97.10.Cv (Stellar structure, interiors, evolution, nucleosynthesis, ages) 97.60.Jd (Neutron stars)
Fund: Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No 10347008).