Ultra High Energy Cosmic Rays and Gamma Ray Bursts from Axion Stars

Aiichi Iwazaki

Published 2000-08-29Version 1

We propose a model in which ultra high energy cosmic rays and gamma ray bursts are produced by collisions between neutron stars and axion stars. The acceleration of such a cosmic ray is made by the electric field, $\sim 10^{15} (B/10^{12} {G}) {eV} {cm}^{-1}$, which is induced in an axion star by relatively strong magnetic field $B>10^{12}$ G of a neutron star. On the other hand, similar collisions generate gamma ray bursts when magnetic field is relatively small, e.g. $\leq 10^{10}$ G. Assuming that the axion mass is $\sim 10^{-9}$ eV, we can explain huge energies of the gamma ray bursts $\sim 10^{54}$ erg as well as the ultra high energies of the cosmic rays $\sim 10^{20}$ eV. We estimate rate of energy release in the collisions and we find that the rate roughly agrees with observations. In addition, we show that these axion stars are plausible candidates for MACHOs. Since the axion star induces oscillating electric current under the magnetic field, observable monochromatic radiations are emitted.