2026-03-25 ロスアラモス国立研究所（LANL）
＜関連資料＞
- https://www.lanl.gov/media/news/0325-star-dissolution
- https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.3847/1538-4357/adb1e3
中性子よ、あれ！高エネルギー光子の大量束によるハドロン光生成 Let There Be Neutrons! Hadronic Photoproduction from a Large Flux of High-energy Photons
Matthew R. Mumpower, Tsung-Shung H. Lee, Nicole Lloyd-Ronning, Brandon L. Barker, Axel Gross, Samuel Cupp, and Jonah M. Miller Published 2025 March 20 • © 2025. The Author(s). Published by the American Astronomical Society.
The Astrophysical Journal, Volume 982, Number 2Citation Matthew R. Mumpower et al 2025 ApJ 982 81
DOI 10.3847/1538-4357/adb1e3
Abstract
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.
