Low Energy Lines in Spectra of Gamma Bursts

Abstract

We connect the phenomenon of gamma ray bursts with nuclear explosions on the old neutron stars. The matter of the neutron star in the non-equilibrium layer at depths of 30 m ≤ h ≥ 100 m consists of superheavy (A ≥ 300) nuclei with a surplus of neutrons (A/Z = 3 ÷ 4). These nuclei are metastable and exist only at high pressure. After the starquake some of the matter from non-equilibrium layer may move upwards and its nuclei become unstable. The β-decay is followed by a chain reaction of fission and nuclear explosion. The gamma ray burst is observed as radiation of the star surface heated to high temperature. Some mass may be ejected, forming expanding cloud. It consists mainly of the iron Fe⁵⁶ with small (≤ 1%) additions of heavy elements (Ba, I, …) arising from the fission. The passage of stellar gamma radiation through the expanding plasma clouds leads to the formation of short-lived spectral features. Strong absorption of the soft gamma rays on K-electrons of Fe⁵⁶ must be observed in the early stages. The gamma quanta with energies ε = 40–70 keV beyond the K-edge of the heavy elements (Ba, I, …) are absorbed in the later stages. A wide K_α line (ε_α = 30 keV) appears simultaneously. The free-free emission of expanding hot plasma cloud may be observed as a short flash in optical band.