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| The '''Neutron drip line''' is a concept in ] and ]. An unstable ] beyond the neutron drip line will ] free ]. In other words, the neutron drip line is the line on the Z, N plane (see ]) where the neutron separation energy is zero; the neutron drip line serves as a boundary for neutron-rich nuclear existence. This phenomenon may be contrasted with the ], as these concepts are similar, but occurring on opposite sides of nuclear stability. | |||
| We can see how this occurs by considering the energy levels in a nucleus. The energy of a neutron in a nucleus is its rest mass energy minus a binding energy. In addition to this however there is an energy due to degenracy: for instance a neutron with energy E_1 will be forced to a higher energy E_2 if all the lower energy states are filled. This is because neutrons are ] and obey ]. The work done in putting this neutron to a hgher energy level results in a pressure which is the ]. So we can view the energy of a neutron in a nucleus as its rest mass energy minus an effective binding energy which decreases as we go to higher energy levels. Eventually this effective binding energy has become zero so that the highest occupied energy level, which is the ], is equal to the rest mass of a neutron. At this point adding a neutron to the nucleus is not possible as the new neutron would have a negative effective binding energy - i.e it is more energetically favourable (system will have lowest overall energy) for it to be created outside the nucleus. This is the neutron drip point. | |||
| In astrophysics, the neutron drip line is important in discussions of ] or ]s. In neutron stars - neutron heavy nuclei are found as relativistic electrons penetrate the nuclei and we get ] where the electron combines with a proton in the nucleus to make a neutron and an electron-neutrino: | |||
| : <math> p^+ + e^- \rightarrow n + \nu_e \,</math> | |||
| As more and more neutrons are created in nuclei the energy levels for neutrons get filled up to an energy level equal to the rest mass of a neutron. At this point any electron penetrating a nucleus will create a neutron which will "drip" out of the nucleus. At this point we have: | |||
| : <math> E_F^n=m_n c^2 \,</math> | |||
| And from this point the equation | |||
| : <math> E_F^n=\sqrt((p_F^n)^2c^2 + m_n^2 c^4) \,</math> | |||
| applies, where p_F^n is the ] of the neutron. As we go deeper into the neutron star the free neutron density increases and as the Fermi momentum increases with increasing density the Fermi Energy increases so that energy levels lower than the top level reach neutron drip and more and more neutrons drip out of nuclei so that we get nuclei in a neutron fluid. Eventually all the nuclei drip out of nuclei and we have reached the neutron fluid interior of the neutron star. | |||
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| {{particle-stub}} | |||
| {{nuclear-stub}} | |||
Latest revision as of 12:43, 6 April 2010
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