Testing two nuclear physics approximations used in the standard leaky box model for the spallogenic production of LiBeB

Details Testing two nuclear physics approximations used in the standard leaky box model for the spallogenic production of LiBeB Testing two nuclear physics approximations used in the standard leaky box model for the spallogenic production of LiBeB

2003-02-05

arxiv.org/abs/astro-ph/0302069v1

Astrophys.J. 589 (2003) 217-224

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

accepted in ApJ

Scientific paper

10.1086/374592

The spallative production rates of Lithium, Beryllium and Boron (LiBeB) are a necessary component in any calculation of the evolution of these nuclei in the Galaxy. Previous calculations of these rates relied on two assumptions relating to the nuclear physics aspects: the straight-ahead approximation that describes the distribution of fragment energies and the assumption that the major contributor to the production rate arises from single-step reactions between primary cosmic ray projectiles and interstellar medium targets. We examine both assumptions by using a semi-empirical description for the spall's energy distribution and by including the reactions that proceed via intermediary fragments. After relaxing the straight-ahead approximation we find the changes in the production rates and emerging fluxes are small and do not warrant rejection of this approximation. In contrast we discover that two-step reactions can alter the production rate considerably leading to noticeable increases in the efficiency of producing the LiBeB nuclei. Motivated by this result we introduce a cascade technique to compute the production rates exactly and find that the results differ only slightly from those of our two-step calculations. We thus conclude that terminating the reaction network at the two-step order is sufficiently accurate for current studies of spallation.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Testing two nuclear physics approximations used in the standard leaky box model for the spallogenic production of LiBeB does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Testing two nuclear physics approximations used in the standard leaky box model for the spallogenic production of LiBeB, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Testing two nuclear physics approximations used in the standard leaky box model for the spallogenic production of LiBeB will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-268703