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Gamma-ray lines from neutron stars as probes of fundamental physicsThe detection of gamma-ray lines produced at the surface of neutron stars will serve to test both the strong and gravitational interactions under conditions unavailable in terrestrial laboratories. Observation of a single redshifted gamma-ray line, combined with an estimate of the mass of the star will serve as a strong constraint on allowable equations of state of matter at supernuclear densities. Detection of two redshifted lines arising from different physical processes at the neutron star surface can provide a test of the strong principle of equivalence. Expected fluxes of nuclear gamma-ray lines from accreting neutron stars were calculated, including threshold, radiative transfer and redshift effects. The most promising probes of neutron star structure are the deuterium formation line and the positron annihilation line. Detection of sharp redshifted gamma-ray lines from X-ray sources such as Cyg X-1 would argue strongly in favor of a neutron star rather than black hole identification for the object.
Document ID
19780024042
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Brecher, K.
(Massachusetts Inst. of Tech. Cambridge, MA, United States)
Date Acquired
August 9, 2013
Publication Date
August 1, 1978
Publication Information
Publication: NASA. Goddard Space Flight Center Gamma Ray Spectry. in Astrophys.
Subject Category
Space Radiation
Accession Number
78N31985
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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