Why Are Photons Emitted in Neutral Particle Annihilations?

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SUMMARY

Photon emission during neutral particle annihilations occurs primarily due to the properties of the electromagnetic field, which is generated by charged particles. In the case of neutral particles like neutrons and their antiparticles, annihilation typically results in the production of mesons rather than pure photons. However, at lower energies, the branching ratio favors photon production because the energy available is insufficient to create more exotic particles. This phenomenon highlights the relationship between energy levels and the types of particles produced in annihilation events.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of quantum field theory
  • Knowledge of particle physics, specifically hadrons and mesons
  • Familiarity with the concept of branching ratios in particle decay
  • Basic principles of electromagnetic fields and their interactions
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  • Research the role of electromagnetic fields in particle physics
  • Study the branching ratios of particle decay processes
  • Explore the properties and interactions of mesons and hadrons
  • Investigate the conditions under which exotic particles are produced in annihilation events
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It is well known that photon is a quant of electromagnetic field. It is also well known that the electromagnetic field is produced by charged particles. Assume that some neutral particle annihilates with its antiparticle. Why a photon is emitted as a resuilt, not a quant of some other field?
 
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Neutral particles (like the neutron-antineutron) that annihilate are usually hadrons, and annihilate to mesons. Annihilation of hadrons to pure photons is rare.
 
Ruslan_Sharipov said:
It is well known that photon is a quant of electromagnetic field. It is also well known that the electromagnetic field is produced by charged particles. Assume that some neutral particle annihilates with its antiparticle. Why a photon is emitted as a resuilt, not a quant of some other field?

It isn't just photons. The branching ratio depends on many things, but you can get electron-positron pairs as well. And just about anything else you want provided your available energy due to the collision is large enough. The branching ratio for photons is pretty high at low energies because there isn't enough energy to produce more "exotic" particles.

-Dan
 

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