Heating in Magnetar Crusts from Electron Captures

The persistent thermal luminosity of magnetars and their outbursts suggest the existence some internal heat sources located in outer crust. compression matter accompanying decay magnetic field may trigger exothermic electron captures and, possibly, pycnonuclear fusions light elements that have been accreted onto surface from fallback supernova debris, a disk or interstellar medium. This scenario bears resemblance to deep crustal heating accreting neutron stars, although composition thermodynamic conditions are very different. maximum possible amount can be released by each reaction locations determined analytically taking into account Landau–Rabi quantization motion. Numerical results also presented using experimental, as well theoretical nuclear data. Whereas deposited is mainly atomic masses, found sensitive strength, thus providing new way probing magnetars. Most concentrated at densities 1010–1011 g cm−3 with power W∞∼1035–1036 erg/s, empirically comparing cooling simulations observed luminosity. change required reactions shown consistent age known suggests fusion viable mechanism present provide microscopic inputs for star simulations, based on same model underlying Brussels-Montreal unified equations state.