Ultra high-energy neutrinos via heavy-meson synchrotron emission in strong magnetic fields
- National Astronomical Observatory, Mitaka, Tokyo 181-8588 (Japan)
- Yukawa Institute of Theoretical Physics, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8502 (Japan)
- Physics Department, Western Michigan University, 1903 W. Michigan Avenue, Kalamazoo, MI 49008-5252 (United States)
We explore the generation and possibility for the detection of heavy-meson synchrotron emission due to the acceleration of ultra-relativistic protons (and possibly nuclei) in the presence of strong magnetic fields (H ≳ 10{sup 15} G) in transient astrophysical environments such as magnetar flares. We show that, in addition to the well-known pion synchrotron emission, heavy vector mesons like ρ, D{sub S} , J/Ψ, and Y could be generated. For high enough energies and magnetic field strengths, such heavy vector mesons can be formed with high intensity (∼10{sup 3} times the photon intensity) through strong couplings to the ultra-relativistic nucleons. We examine in particular the synchrotron emission and subsequent cooling and decay of the heavy ρ{sup 0} and Y(1S) mesons, e.g., via p → p' + Y(1S), Y(1S) → τ{sup +} + τ{sup –}, τ{sup −}→μ{sup −}+ ν-bar {sub μ}+ν{sub τ} and e{sup −}+ ν-bar {sub e}+ν{sub τ}. We evaluate the spectra of escaping ν {sub e}, ν{sub μ}, and ν{sub τ} due to the decay of short-lived τ mesons. We deduce the possible event rate in a terrestrial TeV neutrino detector. We estimate that neutrinos produced from the heavy vector-meson synchrotron radiation from a strong magnetar soft gamma repeater burst will only be detectable with the current generation of detectors if the source is very nearby (<30 pc). Nevertheless, if ever detected, the existence of heavy meson synchrotron emission might be identifiable by the unique signature of energetic tau neutrinos emanating from the source.
- OSTI ID:
- 22351439
- Journal Information:
- Astrophysical Journal, Vol. 782, Issue 2; Other Information: Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0004-637X
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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