Electron and positron pair production of compact stars

TL;DR

This paper models the conditions under which electron-positron pairs are produced at the boundary of dense baryonic cores in compact stars, potentially explaining energetic phenomena like supernovae and gamma-ray bursts.

Contribution

It introduces a simplified model integrating Einstein-Maxwell equations to estimate pair production in collapsing or pulsating baryon cores of compact stars.

Findings

Possible electric processes for pair production identified

Quantitative estimates of pair numbers and energies provided

Relevance to supernova and gamma-ray burst energetics suggested

Abstract

Neutral stellar core at or over nuclear densities is described by a positive charged baryon core and negative charged electron fluid since they possess different masses and interactions. Based on a simplified model of a gravitationally collapsing or pulsating baryon core, we approximately integrate the Einstein-Maxwell equations and the equations for the number and energy-momentum conservation of complete degenerate electron fluid. We show possible electric processes that lead to the production of electron-positron pairs in the boundary of a baryon core and calculate the number and energy of electron-positron pairs. This can be relevant for understanding the energetic sources of supernovae and gamma-ray bursts.