Inverse beta-decay in magnetic fields

TL;DR

This paper calculates how magnetic fields influence the inverse beta decay process, revealing directional dependence of the cross section, which has implications for understanding pulsar kicks.

Contribution

It introduces an exact solution approach to compute the cross section of inverse beta decay in magnetic fields, highlighting the directional dependence.

Findings

Cross section depends on neutrino direction in magnetic fields.

Magnetic fields cause asymmetry in decay process.

Implications for pulsar kick mechanisms.

Abstract

We calculate the cross section of the inverse beta decay process, $\nu_e+n\to p+e$, in a magnetic field which is much smaller than $m_p^2/e$. Using exact solutions of the Dirac equation in a constant magnetic field, we find that the cross section depends on the direction of the incident neutrino even when the initial neutron is assumed to be at rest. We discuss the implication of this result for pulsar kicks.