arXiv subjects

Katsuhiko Sato

Publications and source records attributed to Katsuhiko Sato.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

arXiv2003

Resonant spin-flavor conversion of supernova neutrinos: Dependence on presupernova models and future prospects

We study the resonant spin-flavor (RSF) conversion of supernova neutrinos, which is induced by the interaction between the nonzero neutrino magnetic moment and the supernova magnetic fields, and its dependence on presupernova models. As the presupernova models, we adopt the latest ones by Woosley, Heger, and Weaver, and, further, models with both solar and zero metallicity are investigated. Since the $(1-2Y_e)$ profile of the new presupernova models, which is responsible for the RSF conversion, suddenly drops at the resonance region, the completely adiabatic RSF conversion is not realized, even if $μ_νB_0= (10^{-12}μ_B)(10^{10} G)$, where $B_0$ is the strength of the magnetic field at the surface of the iron core. In particular for the model with zero metallicity, the conversion is highly nonadiabatic in the high energy region, reflecting the $(1-2Y_e)$ profile of the model. In calculating the flavor conversion, we find that the shock wave propagation, which changes density profiles drastically, is a much more severe problem than it is for the pure Mikheyev-Smirnov-Wolfenstein (MSW) conversion case. This is because the RSF effect occurs at a far deeper region than the MSW effect. To avoid the uncertainty concerning the shock propagation, we restrict our discussion to 0.5 s after the core bounce (and for more conservative discussion, 0.25 s), during which the shock wave is not expected to affect the RSF region. We also evaluate the energy spectrum at the Super-Kamiokande detector for various models using the calculated conversion probabilities, and find that it is very difficult to obtain useful information on the supernova metallicities and magnetic fields or on the neutrino magnetic moment from the supernova neutrino observation. Future prospects are also discussed.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2003

Supernova Neutrinos, Neutrino Oscillations, and the Mass of the Progenitor Star

We investigate the initial progenitor mass dependence of the early-phase neutrino signal from supernovae taking neutrino oscillations into account. The early-phase analysis has advantages in that it is not affected by the time evolution of the density structure of the star due to shock propagation or whether the remnant is a neutron star or a black hole. The initial mass affects the evolution of the massive star and its presupernova structure, which is important for two reasons when considering the neutrino signal. First, the density profile of the mantle affects the dynamics of neutrino oscillation in supernova. Second, the final iron core structure determines the features of the neutrino burst, i.e., the luminosity and the average energy. We find that both effects are rather small. This is desirable when we try to extract information on neutrino parameters from future supernova-neutrino observations. Although the uncertainty due to the progenitor mass is not small for intermediate $θ_{13}$ ($10^{-5} \lesssim \sin^{2}{2 θ_{13}} \lesssim 10^{-3}$), we can, nevertheless, determine the character of the mass hierarchy and whether $θ_{13}$ is very large or very small.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2003

Upper limit on the mass of RX J1856.5--3754 as a possible quark star

Recent deep Chandra LETG+HRC-S observations suggest the possibility that RX J1856.5--3754 is a compact star whose radiation radius is 3.8--8.2 km. In this paper, we systematically calculate the mass-radius relations of quark stars within the bag model. Assuming that RX J1856.5--3754 is a pure quark star, we derive an upper limit on its mass for various sets of the bag-model parameters.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2003

Arrival Distribution of Ultra-High Energy Cosmic Rays: Prospects for the Future

We predict the arrival distribution of UHECRs above $4 \times 10^{19}$ eV with the event number expected by future experiments in the next few years. We perform event simulations with the source model which is adopted in our recent study and can explain the current AGASA observation. At first, we calculate the harmonic amplitude and the two point correlation function for the simulated event sets. We find that significant anisotropy on large angle scale will be observed when $\sim 10^3$ cosmic rays above $4 \times 10^{19}$ eV are detected by future experiments. The statistics of the two point correlation function will also increase. The angle scale at which the events have strong correlation with each other corresponds to deflection angle of UHECR in propagating in the EGMF, which in turn can be determined by the future observations. We further investigate the relation between the number of events clustered at a direction and the distance of their sources. Despite the limited amount of data, we find that the C2 triplet events observed by the AGASA may originate from the source within 100 Mpc. Merger galaxy Arp 299 (NGC 3690 + IC 694) is the best candidate for their source. If data accumulate, the UHECR sources within $\sim 100$ Mpc can be identified from observed event clusterings significantly. This will provide some kinds of information about poorly known parameters which influence the propagation of UHECRs, such as extragalactic and galactic magnetic field, chemical composition of observed cosmic rays. Also, we will reveal their origin with our method to identify the sources of UHECR. Finally, we predict the arrival distribution of UHECRs above $10^{20}$ eV, which is expected to be observed if the current HiRes spectrum is correct, and discuss their statistical features and implications.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2003

Supernova relic neutrinos and observational implications for neutrino oscillation

We investigate the flux of supernova relic neutrinos (SRN) for several neutrino oscillation models with parameters inferred from recent experimental results. In the calculation, we adopt the realistic {\it time-dependent} supernova density profile, which is very different from the static progenitor profile owing to shock propagation. The Earth matter effect is also included appropriately using realistic density profile of the Earth. As a result, these two effects are found to induce the flux difference by a few % in the detection energy range ($E_ν> 19.3$ MeV). We also set 90% C.L. upper limit on SRN flux for various oscillation models using the recently released observational result by Super-Kamiokande (SK). In the near future, further reduced upper limit is actually expected, when the current SK data are reanalyzed using some technique to reduce background events against SRN signals. It is expected that the reduced upper limit is sufficient to provide useful implications for neutrino oscillation.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2002

Three-generation study of neutrino spin-flavor conversion in supernova and implication for neutrino magnetic moment

We investigate resonant spin-flavor (RSF) conversions of supernova neutrinos which are induced by the interaction of neutrino magnetic moment and supernova magnetic fields. From the formulation which includes all three-flavor neutrinos and anti-neutrinos, we give a new crossing diagram that includes not only ordinary MSW resonance but also magnetically-induced RSF effect. With the diagram, it is found that four conversions occur in supernova, two are induced by the RSF effect and two by the pure MSW. We also numerically calculate neutrino conversions in supernova matter, using neutrino mixing parameters inferred from recent experimental results and a realistic supernova progenitor model. The results indicate that until 0.5 seconds after core bounce, the RSF-induced $\barν_e \leftrightarrow ν_τ$ transition occurs efficiently (adiabatic resonance), when $μ_ν\agt 10^{-12} μ_B (B_0 / 5 \times 10^{9} \mathrm G)^{-1}$, where $B_0$ is the strength of the magnetic field at the surface of iron core. We also evaluate the energy spectrum as a function of $μ_νB_0$ at the SuperKamiokande detector and the Sudbury Neutrino Observatory using the calculated conversion probabilities, and find that the spectral deformation might have possibility to provide useful information on neutrino magnetic moment as well as magnetic field strength in supernovae.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2002

Microscopic Study of Slablike and Rodlike Nuclei: Quantum Molecular Dynamics Approach

Structure of cold dense matter at subnuclear densities is investigated by quantum molecular dynamics (QMD) simulations. We succeeded in showing that the phases with slab-like and rod-like nuclei etc. can be formed dynamically from hot uniform nuclear matter without any assumptions on nuclear shape. We also observe intermediate phases, which has complicated nuclear shapes. Geometrical structures of matter are analyzed with Minkowski functionals, and it is found out that intermediate phases can be characterized as ones with negative Euler characteristic. Our result suggests the existence of these kinds of phases in addition to the simple ``pasta'' phases in neutron star crusts.

nucl-th↗

arXiv2002

Determining the Supernova Direction by its Neutrinos

Supernova neutrinos, which arrive at Earth earlier than light, allow for the earliest determination of the direction of the supernova. The topic of this paper is to study how accurately we can determine the supernova direction. We simulate supernova neutrino events at the SuperKamiokande detector, using a realistic supernova model and several realistic neutrino oscillation models. With the results of our simulation, we can restrict the supernova direction to be within a circle of radius $9^\circ$. In several neutrino oscillation models, this accuracy is increased to $8^\circ$. We also discuss the influence of an accident that occurred at the SuperKamiokande detector. After repair of the detector, using the remaining PMTs, the accuracy becomes about $12^\circ$ for no oscillation.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2001

Microscopic Study of Nuclear "Pasta" by Quantum Molecular Dynamics

Structure of cold dense stellar matter at subnuclear densities is investigated with quantum molecular dynamics (QMD). We succeeded in showing that the phases with slab-like and rod-like nuclei etc. can be formed dynamically without any assumptions on the nuclear shape. Our result suggests the existence of these kinds of phases in neutron star crusts.

nucl-th↗

arXiv2001

Formation of Nuclear "Pasta" in Cold Neutron Star Matter

Formation and decay of rod-like and slab-like nuclei, as may be encountered in the outer parts of neutron stars, are examined within a zero-temperature stability analysis with respect to perturbations inducing fission and proton clustering. The nonspherical nuclei are found to be stable against these perturbations, implying the possibility that the size of the stellar region containing such nuclei exceeds the equilibrium prediction.

nucl-th↗

arXiv2000

Effects of Neutrino Trapping on Thermodynamic Properties of Nuclear ``Pasta''

Geometrical structure of matter at subnuclear densities is investigated in the presence of a degenerate gas of neutrinos as encountered in stellar collapse. The crystalline phases with spherical, cylindrical and planar nuclei as well as with spherical and cylindrical nuclear bubbles are considered by using a compressible liquid-drop model. This model allows for uncertainties in the lepton fraction $Y_{\rm L}$ in addition to those in the nuclear surface tension $E_{\rm surf}$ and in the proton chemical potential in bulk neutron matter $μ_{\rm p}^{(0)}$. The phase diagrams obtained at zero temperature show that only the phases with rod-like and slab-like nuclei occur at typical values of $Y_{\rm L}$, $E_{\rm surf}$ and $μ_{\rm p}^{(0)}$, whereas the bubble phases, especially with spherical bubbles, are at best expected at hypothetically low values of $Y_{\rm L}$ and/or $E_{\rm surf}$. For the rod-like and slab-like nuclei, thermally induced displacements are calculated from their respective elastic constants. It is found that at temperatures appropriate to supernova cores, thermal fluctuations would destroy the layered lattice of slab-like nuclei almost independently of the nuclear models and of the degree of the neutrino degeneracy.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2000

Dynamical Properties of Euclidean Solutions in a Multidimensional Cosmological Model

In the framework of the Hartle-Hawking no-boundary proposal, we investigated quantum creation of the multidimensional universe with a cosmological constant ($Λ$) but without matter fields. We have found that the classical solutions of the Euclidean Einstein equations in this model have ``quasi-attractors'', i.e., most trajectories on the a-b plane, where a and b are the scale factors of external and internal spaces, go around a point. It is presumed that the wave function of the universe has a hump near this quasi-attractor point. In the case that both the curvatures of external and internal spaces are positive, and $Λ>0$, there exist Lorentzian solutions which start near the quasi-attractor, the internal space remains microscopic, and the external space evolves into our macroscopic universe.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2000

Numerical Analysis of the Wave Function of the Multidimensional Universe

In the framework of the Hartle-Hawking no-boundary proposal, we investigate quantum creation of the multidimensional universe with the cosmological constant $Λ$ but without matter fields. In this paper we solved the Wheeler-de Witt equation numerically. We find that the universe in which both of the spaces expand exponentially is the most probable in this model.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2000

Thermodynamic properties of nuclear "pasta" in neutron star crusts

Equilibrium phase diagrams for neutron star matter at subnuclear densities are obtained at zero temperature. Spherical, rod-like and slab-like nuclei as well as spherical and rod-like nuclear bubbles are taken into account by using a compressible liquid-drop model. This model is designed to incorporate uncertainties in the nuclear surface tension and in the proton chemical potential in a gas of dripped neutrons. The resultant phase diagrams show that for typical values of these quantities, the phases with rod-like nuclei and with slab-like nuclei occur in the form of Coulomb lattice at densities below a point where the system becomes uniform. Thermal fluctuations leading to displacements of such nuclei from their equilibrium positions are considered through explicit evaluations of their elastic constants; these fluctuations can be effective at destroying the layered lattice of slab-like nuclei in the temperature region typical of matter in the neutron star crust.

astro-ph↗

arXiv1998

Effects of hyperons on the dynamical deconfinement transition in cold neutron star matter

The influence of the presence of hyperons in dense hadronic matter on the quantum nucleation of quark matter is examined at low temperatures relevant to neutron star cores. We calculate the equation of state and the composition of matter before and after deconfinement by using a relativistic mean-field theory and an MIT bag model, respectively; the case in which hyperons are present in the hadronic system is considered, together with the case of the system without hyperons. We find that strangeness contained in hyperons acts to reduce a density jump at deconfinement as well as a lepton fraction in the hadronic phase. As a result of these reductions, a quark matter droplet being in a virtual or real state has its effective mass lightened and its electric charge diminished into nearly zero. The Coulomb screening of leptons on the droplet charge, which has significance to the droplet growth after nucleation in the absence of hyperons, is thus shown to be of little consequence. If the effective droplet mass is small enough to become comparable to the height of the potential barrier, the effect of relativity brings about an exponential increase in the rate of droplet formation via quantum tunneling, whereas the role played by energy dissipation in decelerating the droplet formation, dominant for matter without hyperons, becomes of less importance. For matter with and without hyperons, we estimate the overpressure needed to form the first droplet in the star during the compression due to stellar spin-down or mass accretion from a companion star. The temperature at which a crossover from the quantum nucleation to the Arrhenius-type thermal nucleation takes place is shown to be large compared with the temperature of matter in the core.

nucl-th↗

arXiv1998

Massive Decaying Tau Neutrino and Big Bang Nucleosynthesis

Comparing Big Bang Nucleosynthesis predictions with the light element abundances inferred from observational data, we can obtain the strong constraints on some neutrino properties, e.g. number of neutrino species, mass, lifetime. Recently the deuterium abundances were measured in high red-shift QSO absorption systems. It is expected that they are close to the primordial values, however, two groups have reported inconsistent values which are different in one order of magnitude. In this paper we show how we can constrain on $τ$ neutrino mass and its lifetime in each case when we adopt either high or low deuterium data. We find that if $0.01 \sec \lesssim τ_{\nutau} \lesssim 1 \sec$ and $10\mev \lesssim m_{\nutau} \lesssim 24\mev$, the theoretical predictions agree with the low D/H abundances. On the other hand if we adopt the high D/H abundances, we obtain the upper bound of $τ$ neutrino mass, $m_{\nutau}\lesssim 20 \mev$.

astro-ph↗

arXiv1997

Explosive Nucleosynthesis in Axisymmetrically Deformed Type II Supernovae

Explosive nucleosynthesis under the axisymmetric explosion in Type II supernova has been performed by means of two dimensional hydrodynamical calculations. We have compared the results with the observations of SN 1987A. Our chief findings are as follows: (1) $^{44}Ti$ is synthesized so much as to explain the tail of the bolometric light curve of SN 1987A. We think this is because the alpha-rich freezeout takes place more actively under the axisymmetric explosion. (2) $^{57}Ni$ and $^{58}Ni$ tend to be overproduced compared with the observations. However, this tendency relies strongly on the progenitor's model. We have also compared the abundance of each element in the mass number range $A= 16-73$ with the solar values. We have found three outstanding features. (1) For the nuclei in the range $A=16-40$, their abundances are insensitive to the initial form of the shock wave. This insensitivity is favored since the spherical calculations thus far can explain the solar system abundances in this mass range. (2) There is an enhancement around A=45 in the axisymmetric explosion compared with the spherical explosion fairly well. In particular, $^{44}Ca$, which is underproduced in the present spherical calculations, is enhanced significantly. (3) In addition, there is an enhancement around A=65. This tendency does not rely on the form of the mass cut but of the initial shock wave. This enhancement may be the problem of the overproduction in this mass range, although this effect would be relatively small since Type I supernovae are chiefly responsible for this mass number range.

astro-ph↗

arXiv1997

Matter Mixing in Axisymmetric Supernova Explosion

Growth of Rayleigh-Taylor (R-T) instabilities under the axisymmetric explosion are investigated by two-dimensional hydrodynamical calculations. The degree of the axisymmetric explosion and amplitude of the initial perturbation are varied parametrically to find the most favorable parameter for reproducing the observed line profile of heavy elements. It is found that spherical explosion can not produce $^{56}Ni$ travelling at high velocity ($\sim 3000$km/sec), the presence of which is affirmed by the observation, even if the amplitude of initial perturbation is as large as 30%. On the other hand, strong axisymmetric explosion model produce high velocity $^{56}Ni$ too much. Weak axisymmetric explosion are favored for the reproduction of the observed line profile. We believe this result shows upper limit of the degree of the axisymmetric explosion. This fact will be important for the simulation of the collapse-driven supernova including rotation, magnetic field, and axisymmetric neutrino radiation, which have a possibility to cause axisymmetric supernova explosion. In addition, the origin of such a large perturbation does not seem to be the structure of the progenitor but the dynamics of the core collapse explosion itself since small perturbation can not produce the high velocity element even if the axisymmetric explosion models are adopted.

astro-ph↗