Universal charge-radius relation for subatomic and astrophysical compact objects

Phys Rev Lett. 2008 Apr 18;100(15):151102. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.100.151102. Epub 2008 Apr 17.

Abstract

Electron-positron pair creation in supercritical electric fields limits the net charge of any static, spherical object, such as superheavy nuclei, strangelets, and Q balls, or compact stars like neutron stars, quark stars, and black holes. For radii between 4 x 10(2) and 10(4) fm the upper bound on the net charge is given by the universal relation Z=0.71R(fm), and for larger radii (measured in femtometers or kilometers) Z=7 x 10(-5)R_(2)(fm)=7 x 10(31)R_(2)(km). For objects with nuclear density the relation corresponds to Z approximately 0.7A(1/3)( (10(8)<A<10(12)) and Z approximately equal to 7 x 10(-5)A(2/3) (A>10(12)), where A is the baryon number. For some systems this universal upper bound improves existing charge limits in the literature.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't