PROTON BRANCH OF MODIFIED URCA PROCESS IN STRONG MAGNETIC FIELD AND SUPERFLUIDITY OF NEUTRON STAR CORES

Abstract

The modified URCA process produces efficient neutrino energy losses in neutron star cores, and has been shown to go via neutron and proton branches. Based on the improved electron chemical potential and critical temperature of superfluidity, the effects of strong magnetic field and superfluidity on the proton branch of modified URCA process are investigated simultaneously in this paper. The results show that strong magnetic field enhances the neutrino emissivities compared to the case in zero magnetic field, and superfluidity reduces the emissivities significantly. For the total neutrino emissivities, the magnetic field is dominant at the initial stage of neutron star cooling, but the superfluidity becomes crucial as the temperature drops below the critical temperature.