Neutrino Production by Sun: Heep's Intensity & Branching Ratios

In summary, Sun produces neutrinos through various reactions, including "pp", "pep", and "hep". The name for the reaction "3He+p+e→α+νe" was not mentioned, but it could potentially be called "heep". The intensity of the "heep" line is unknown. The branching ratio between "pp" and "pep" reactions is not applicable since it is not a decay and depends on the star. The expected branching ratio between "hep" and "heep" reactions is negligible, as even "hep" has a small reaction rate.
  • #1
snorkack
2,190
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Sun produces neutrinos by sundry reactions:
p+p→d+e++νe - called "pp"
p+p+e→d+νe - called "pep"
3He+p→α+e++νe - called "hep"
3He+p+e→α+νe - never mentioned. What should it be called? "Heep"?
Now, heep neutrinos should form a sharp line at a quite high energy.
What is the intensity of heep line?
What is the branching ratio between pp and pep reactions?
What should be the branching ratio between hep and heep reactions?
 
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  • #2
snorkack said:
What is the branching ratio between pp and pep reactions?
It is not a branching ratio because it is not a decay. It depends on the star. As usual, Wikipedia has an article about it.
snorkack said:
What should be the branching ratio between hep and heep reactions?
I would expect "heep" to be completely negligible, even hep has a tiny reaction rate.
 

1. What is neutrino production by the Sun?

Neutrino production by the Sun refers to the process in which the Sun produces neutrinos, which are subatomic particles with very little mass and no charge. This production occurs through nuclear fusion reactions in the Sun's core, where hydrogen atoms combine to form helium, releasing energy in the form of neutrinos.

2. What is Heep's intensity in relation to neutrino production by the Sun?

Heep's intensity is a measurement of the energy spectrum of neutrinos produced by the Sun. It is named after physicist John Heep, who first proposed the method of using neutrino detectors to study the solar neutrino flux in the 1970s.

3. How do branching ratios affect neutrino production by the Sun?

Branching ratios refer to the probability of a nuclear reaction producing a specific type of neutrino. In the Sun, different types of nuclear reactions have different branching ratios, which can affect the overall production of neutrinos. This is important to consider when studying the Sun's neutrino flux.

4. Why is studying neutrino production by the Sun important?

Studying neutrino production by the Sun can provide valuable insights into the inner workings of the Sun and the processes that power it. Neutrinos are also the only particles that can escape the dense core of the Sun, making them a unique tool for studying its interior. Additionally, studying the Sun's neutrino flux can help us understand the properties of neutrinos themselves.

5. How do we detect neutrinos produced by the Sun?

Neutrinos are notoriously difficult to detect due to their weak interactions with matter. However, specialized detectors, such as the Super-Kamiokande in Japan and the Sudbury Neutrino Observatory in Canada, use large tanks of water or heavy water to detect the faint flashes of light produced when a neutrino collides with an atom in the tank. These detectors have been crucial in studying the Sun's neutrino flux and confirming theories about the Sun's energy production.

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