Neutron beams in active galactic nuclei

David Eichler, Paul J. Wiita

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

19 Scopus citations

Abstract

ELECTRODYNAMIC processes may be responsible for both the creation and acceleration of charged particles near condensed objects. For pulsars 1-3, the strong magnetic fields associated with the spinning neutron star generate substantial electric fields which may, in turn, create electron-positron pairs. In some models3 the escaping ultrarelativistic positrons create further pairs by curvature radiation, and can explain many features of the pulsar radiation. Models for double radio sources have also been proposed, where a magnetised rotator, say a spinar4 or the magnetised accretion disk around a supermassive black hole5-7, accelerates5,6 and possibly creates7 relativistic charged particles. Theories invoking an aligned rotator also provide a natural way of creating well collimated supersonic beams at very small distances from the powerhouse, obviating the need for hydrodynamic confinement by flattened gas clouds7,8. We propose here a variation of this idea in which high energy beams of neutrons can be used to transport energy to relatively large distances from an active central powerhouse assuming that electromagnetic acceleration mechanisms are important. Decay back into charged particles allows radiation to recommence further away from such a generator than in other models.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)38-39
Number of pages2
JournalNature
Volume274
Issue number5666
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Dec 1978
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Neutron beams in active galactic nuclei'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this