Does antineutrino capture preferentially form neutrons?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the capture of antineutrinos and whether this process preferentially leads to the formation of neutrons compared to other baryons, such as lambda particles. Participants explore the implications of energy thresholds, phase space, and quark flavor changes in weak interactions, focusing on theoretical aspects of particle interactions.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests that antineutrino capture can lead to different baryon formations, including neutrons and lambda particles, depending on energy levels and phase space availability.
  • Another participant notes that the CKM matrix elements influence the likelihood of different reactions, asserting that the reaction leading to neutron formation is preferred over that leading to lambda formation, even when considering phase space constraints.
  • A correction is made regarding the notation of neutrinos and antineutrinos in the proposed reactions, emphasizing that all instances should refer to antineutrinos.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the preferential formation of neutrons versus other baryons, with some supporting the idea of preference based on CKM matrix elements while others focus on the energy and phase space factors. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the exact ratios of these processes at high energies.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the dependence on energy thresholds and phase space factors, as well as the influence of CKM matrix elements on the reactions discussed. The discussion does not resolve the implications of these factors on the overall likelihood of different baryon formations.

snorkack
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Besides the energetic preference (lower threshold, and more phase space above)?
Antineutrino capture is a weak process, so it can and does change quark flavour.
p+ν=n+e+
is actually
uud+ν=udd+e+
that is
u+ν=d+e+
But given enough energy (like cosmic ray neutrinos), do antineutrinos also get captured:
p+ν=Λ+e+?
Because this is just
udu+ν=uds+e+
that is
u+ν=s+e+
As you see, even though baryon charges match, a process
p+ν=Ξ+e+
would be obstructed, because Ξ has 2 s quarks. But process
p+ν=Λb+e+
should be just
u+ν=b+e+

Obviously these processes are impossible below energy threshold, and above they have a phase space factor. But at high energies, does proton conversion into n vs conversion into any specified flavour of Λ approach ratio of unity, or will any difference remain?
 
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You would have different CKM matrix elements in there. And ##|V_{ud}| > |V_{us}| > |V_{ub}|##. So I would say yes, ##p+\bar{\nu}\to n+e^+## is preferred over ##p+\bar{\nu}\to \Lambda+e^+## even setting aside phase space constraints.

Edit: changed ##\nu\to\bar{\nu}##, see below
 
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But it should be ##p+\bar{\nu} \rightarrow n+ e^+##.
 
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Indeed, I just copied the reactions as noted in the OP (all ##\nu## there should also be ##\bar{\nu}## but the text correctly says antineutrino).
 
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