Influence of protons on the capture of electrons by 7Be in the Sun

Abstract

The capture of electrons by the nucleus $^{7}Be$ from the three-body initial state $p+e^{-}+^{7}Be$ in the continuum is studied. On the basis of the expansion of the three-body continuum wave function in the small parameter $\epsilon\approx ({m_e}/{m_p})^{1/2}$ [$m_e$ ($m_p$) is the electron (proton) mass], the role of the protons on the electron capture is considered. The results are compared with the traditional treatment of the electron capture by the nucleus $^{7}Be$. For stars with the density and temperature like in the centre of the Sun the studied mechanism can make non-negligible contribution to the capture rate.