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On the potential of probing the neutron star composition in accreting X-ray binaries
High Energy Astrophysical Phenomena · Submitted 11 Jun 2024
abstract compiled · 2026-09-23 · no language-model review
The authors' main claim We show that although exotic forms of matter are generally only expected in an inner core, which could in principle have any size, sufficiently large astrophysical data sets nonetheless have the potential to statistically discriminate compositional scenarios, in particular when further mass measurements become available.
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The abstract, sentence by sentence
Transiently accreting Low Mass X-Ray Binaries have the potential to probe the core composition of their neutron stars via deep crustal heating caused by nuclear reactions. We statistically assess this deep crustal heating scenario, taking into account the various microphysical and astrophysical uncertainties. We find that despite the sizable uncertainties there is the chance to discriminate different compositional scenarios. Several observed sources statistically challenge a minimal hadronic matter composition, where cooling proceeds exclusively via slow modified Urca reactions. Considering here two exemplary extended uniform compositions, namely ultra-dense hadronic matter with direct Urca emission and ungapped quark matter, we find that they are even within uncertainties distinguishable. We show that although exotic forms of matter are generally only expected in an inner core, which could in principle have any size, sufficiently large astrophysical data sets nonetheless have the potential to statistically discriminate compositional scenarios, in particular when further mass measurements become available.
background contribution method result interpretation main claim
| # | sentence | role | the authors' own work | states the main conclusion | strength |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| s0 | Transiently accreting Low Mass X-Ray Binaries have the potential to probe the core composition of their neutron stars via deep crustal heating caused by nuclear reactions. | background 0.99 | 0.07 | 0.06 | hedged possibility 0.97 |
| s1 | We statistically assess this deep crustal heating scenario, taking into account the various microphysical and astrophysical uncertainties. | contribution 0.57 | 0.93 | 0.03 | asserted 0.91 |
| s2 | We find that despite the sizable uncertainties there is the chance to discriminate different compositional scenarios. | result 0.99 | 0.96 | 0.41 | hedged possibility 0.65 |
| s3 | Several observed sources statistically challenge a minimal hadronic matter composition, where cooling proceeds exclusively via slow modified Urca reactions. | result 0.99 | 0.90 | 0.18 | asserted 0.98 |
| s4 | Considering here two exemplary extended uniform compositions, namely ultra-dense hadronic matter with direct Urca emission and ungapped quark matter, we find that they are even within uncertainties distinguishable. | result 0.99 | 0.95 | 0.19 | asserted 0.99 |
| s5 | We show that although exotic forms of matter are generally only expected in an inner core, which could in principle have any size, sufficiently large astrophysical data sets nonetheless have the potential to statistically discriminate compositional scenarios, in particular when further mass measurements become available. | interpretation 0.81 | 0.82 | 0.59 | hedged possibility 0.70 |
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The paper
Original abstract
Transiently accreting Low Mass X-Ray Binaries have the potential to probe the core composition of their neutron stars via deep crustal heating caused by nuclear reactions. We statistically assess this deep crustal heating scenario, taking into account the various microphysical and astrophysical uncertainties. We find that despite the sizable uncertainties there is the chance to discriminate different compositional scenarios. Several observed sources statistically challenge a minimal hadronic matter composition, where cooling proceeds exclusively via slow modified Urca reactions. Considering here two exemplary extended uniform compositions, namely ultra-dense hadronic matter with direct Urca emission and ungapped quark matter, we find that they are even within uncertainties distinguishable. We show that although exotic forms of matter are generally only expected in an inner core, which could in principle have any size, sufficiently large astrophysical data sets nonetheless have the potential to statistically discriminate compositional scenarios, in particular when further mass measurements become available.
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References
How the literature uses it
What this paper does with the arXiv papers it cites
What it cites · 41 sentences without a confident label
Uses data or values from 7 papers
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The most precise values stem from the $1.4 M_⊙$ star J0030+0451 [ref] and the $≈2.1 M_⊙$ star J0740+6620 [ref] which when combined with other constraints yield expected radii $(12.45±0.65) km$ for $1.4 M_⊙$ and $(12.35±0.75) km$ for $≈2.1 M_⊙$.
PSR J0030+0451 Mass and Radius from NICER Data and Implications for the Properties of Neutron Star Matter · Estimating microphysical and astrophysical uncertainties · 1.00
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The most precise values stem from the $1.4 M_⊙$ star J0030+0451 [ref] and the $≈2.1 M_⊙$ star J0740+6620 [ref] which when combined with other constraints yield expected radii $(12.45±0.65) km$ for $1.4 M_⊙$ and $(12.35±0.75) km$ for $≈2.1 M_⊙$.
The Radius of PSR J0740+6620 from NICER and XMM-Newton Data · Estimating microphysical and astrophysical uncertainties · 1.00
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These theoretical models are compared to data from various LMXBs taken from table [ref] and given in table [ref].
Thermal evolution of neutron stars in soft X-ray transients with thermodynamically consistent models of the accreted crust · Results · 0.80
Compares with 1 paper
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Using a multi-component liquid drop model slightly larger values where found in [ref] .
Deep Crustal Heating in a Multicomponent Accreted Neutron Star Crust · Estimating microphysical and astrophysical uncertainties · 0.87
Cites as background 7 papers
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The local, microscopic quantity that can distinguish different compositions in the neutron star interior is the neutrino emissivity [ref] , dominating the heat loss in sufficiently hot sources.
Neutrino Emission from Neutron Stars · Basic neutrino emission processes · 0.93
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Interacting quark matter can also be in a color superconducting state [ref] .
Color superconductivity in dense quark matter · Basic neutrino emission processes · 0.98
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[equation] Here we consider the strong heating due to the accretion, neglecting other potential heating mechanisms, e.g. roto-chemical heating [ref] or dissipative damping of unstable oscillation modes [ref] .
Deviations from Chemical Equilibrium due to Spin-Down as an Internal Heat Source in Neutron Stars · Long-term thermal steady state · 0.88
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