Year: 2001
Type: article
Abstract: We calculate the neutrino pair annihilation rate into electron pairs between two neutron stars in a binary system. We present a closed formula for the energy deposition rate at any point between the stars, where each neutrino of a pair derives from each star, and compare this result with that in which all neutrinos derive from a single neutron star. An approximate generalization of this formula is given to include the relativistic effects of gravity. We find that this interstar neutrino annihilation is a significant contributor to the energy deposition between heated neutron star binaries. In particular, for two neutron stars near their last stable orbit, interstar neutrino annihilation energy deposition is almost equal to that of single-star energy deposition.
Source: The Astrophysical Journal
DOI: 10.1086/323319
Authors: Jay D. Salmonson, James R. Wilson
Institution: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
Language: English
Subfield: Astronomy and Astrophysics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W2076943900