Abstract
We explore constraints on the strength of the primordial magnetic field based upon the weak reaction freeze-out in the early universe. We find that limits on the strength of the magnetic field found in other works are recovered simply by examining the temperature at which the rate of weak reactions drops below the rate of universal expansion (Fw≤H). The temperature for which the n/p ratio at freeze-out leads to acceptable helium production implies limits on the magnetic field. This simplifies the application of magnetic fields to other cosmological variants of the standard big bang. As an illustration we also consider effects of neutrino degeneracy on the allowed limits to the primordial magnetic field.
Original language | English |
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Article number | 123002 |
Pages (from-to) | 1-6 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Physical Review D - Particles, Fields, Gravitation and Cosmology |
Volume | 59 |
Issue number | 12 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jun 15 1999 |
Externally published | Yes |