Neutron escape from microquasar jets

Abstract

The launching mechanism and composition of astrophysical jets are still open problems. If relativistic protons are present in these jets, then energetic neutrons should be produced. Since neutrons are not affected by magnetic fields, they should escape the jet and decay outside. In this work we introduce the relativistic neutron component in the model of a microquasar jet. We find that observable signatures are too weak for current instruments, but a steady escape of secondary charged particles from the decay region might contribute to the population of Galactic cosmic rays.