arXiv subjects

Mikhail E. Gusakov

Publications and source records attributed to Mikhail E. Gusakov.

34 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2020

Heat release in accreting neutron stars

Observed thermal emission from accreting neutron stars (NSs) in a quiescent state is believed to be powered by nonequilibrium nuclear reactions that heat the stellar crust (deep crustal heating paradigm). We derive a simple universal formula for the heating efficiency, assuming that an NS has a fully accreted crust. We further show that, within the recently proposed thermodynamically consistent approach to the accreted crust, the heat release can be parametrized by the only one parameter -- the pressure $P_{\rm oi}$ at the outer-inner crust interface (as we argue, this pressure should not necessarily coincide with the neutron-drip pressure). We discuss possible values of $P_{\rm oi}$ for a selection of nuclear models that account for shell effects, and determine the net heat release and its distribution in the crust as a function of $P_{\rm oi}$. We conclude that the heat release should be reduced by a factor of few in comparison to previous works.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2020

Magnetic field evolution timescales in superconducting neutron stars

The self-consistent approach to the magnetic field evolution in neutron star cores, developed recently, is generalised to the case of superfluid and superconducting neutron stars. Applying this approach to the cold matter of neutron star cores composed of neutrons, protons, electrons, and muons we find that, similarly to the case of normal matter, an arbitrary configuration of the magnetic field may result in generation of macroscopic particle velocities, strongly exceeding their diffusive (relative) velocities. This effect substantially accelerates evolution of the magnetic field in the stellar core. An hierarchy of timescales of such evolution at different stages of neutron star life is proposed and discussed. It is argued that the magnetic field in the core cannot be considered as frozen or vanishing and that its temporal evolution should affect the observational properties of neutron stars.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2020

Constraining neutron superfluidity with $r$-mode physics

We constrain the parameters of neutron superfluidity in the cores of neutron stars making use of the recently proposed effect of resonance stabilization of $r$-modes. To this end, we, for the first time, calculate the finite-temperature $r$-mode spectra for realistic models of rotating superfluid neutron stars, accounting for both muons and neutron-proton entrainment in their interiors. We find that the ordinary (normal) $r$-mode exhibits avoided crossings with superfluid $r$-modes at certain stellar temperatures and spin frequencies. Near the avoided crossings, the normal $r$-mode dissipates strongly, which leads to substantial suppression of the $r$-mode instability there. The extreme sensitivity of the positions of avoided crossings to the neutron superfluidity model allows us to constrain the latter by confronting the calculated spectra with observations of rapidly rotating neutron stars in low-mass X-ray binaries.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2020

Dissipative relativistic magnetohydrodynamics of a multicomponent mixture and its application to neutron stars

We formulate hydrodynamic equations for nonsuperfluid multicomponent magnetized charged relativistic mixtures, taking into account chemical reactions as well as viscosity, diffusion, thermodiffusion, and thermal conductivity effects. The resulting equations have a rather simple form and can be readily applied, e.g., for studying magnetothermal evolution of neutron stars. We also establish a link between our formalism and the results known in the literature, and express the phenomenological diffusion coefficients through momentum transfer rates which are calculated from microscopic theory.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2020

Thermodynamically consistent equation of state for an accreted neutron star crust

We study equation of state (EOS) of an accreting neutron star crust. Usually, such EOS is obtained assuming (implicitly) that the free (unbound) neutrons and nuclei in the inner crust move together. We argue, that this assumption violates the condition $μ_n^\infty={\rm const}$, required for hydrostatic (and diffusion) equilibrium of unbound neutrons ($μ^\infty_n$ is the redshifted neutron chemical potential). We construct a new EOS respecting this condition, working in the compressible liquid-drop approximation. We demonstrate that it is close to the catalyzed EOS in most part of the inner crust, being very different from EOSs of accreted crust discussed in the literature. In particular, the pressure at the outer-inner crust interface does not coincide with the neutron drip pressure, usually calculated in the literature, and is determined by hydrostatic (and diffusion) equilibrium conditions within the star. We also find an instability at the bottom of fully accreted crust that transforms nuclei into homogeneous nuclear matter. It guarantees that the structure of fully accreted crust remains self-similar during accretion.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2019

Force on proton vortices in superfluid neutron stars

Force on proton vortices in superfluid and superconducting matter of neutron stars is calculated at vanishing stellar temperature. Both longitudinal (dissipative) and transverse (Lorentz-type) components of the force are derived in a coherent way and compared in detail with the corresponding expressions available in the literature. This allows us to resolve a controversy about the form of the Lorentz-type force component acting on proton vortices. The calculated force is a key ingredient in magnetohydrodynamics of superconducting neutron stars and is important for modeling the evolution of stellar magnetic field.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2018

Temperature-dependent oscillation modes in rotating superfluid neutron stars

We calculate the spectrum of inertial oscillation modes in a slowly rotating superfluid neutron star, including, for the first time, both the effects of finite temperatures and entrainment between superfluid neutrons and protons. We work in the Newtonian limit and assume minimal core composition (neutrons, protons and electrons). We also developed an approximate method that allows one to calculate the superfluid r-mode analytically. Finally, we derive and analyze dispersion relations for inertial modes in the superfluid NS matter in the short wavelength limit.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2017

Temperature-dependent r-modes in superfluid neutron stars stratified by muons

We calculate the finite-temperature r-mode spectrum of a slowly rotating superfluid Newtonian neutron star neglecting the entrainment between neutron and proton liquid components (i.e., neglecting the off-diagonal element of the entrainment matrix). We show that for `minimal' NS core composition (neutrons, protons, and electrons) only two $m=2$ r-modes exist --- normal mode, which is similar to ordinary r-mode in a nonsuperfluid star, and a superfluid temperature-dependent mode. Accounting for muons in the core dramatically modifies the oscillation spectrum, resulting in an infinite set of superfluid r-modes, whose frequencies vary with temperature. We demonstrate that the normal r-mode can exhibit avoided crossings with superfluid modes at certain `resonance' temperatures, where it dissipates strongly, which leads to substantial suppression of the r-mode instability near these temperatures. The corresponding instability windows are calculated and discussed.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2017

R-modes and neutron star recycling scenario

To put new constraints on the r-mode instability window, we analyse the formation of millisecond pulsars (MSPs) within the recycling scenario, making use of three sets of observations: (a) X-ray observations of neutron stars (NSs) in low-mass X-ray binaries; (b) timing of millisecond pulsars; and (c) X-ray and UV observations of MSPs. As shown in previous works, r-mode dissipation by shear viscosity is not sufficient to explain observational set (a), and enhanced r-mode dissipation at the red-shifted internal temperatures $T^\infty\sim 10^8$ K is required to stabilize the observed NSs. Here, we argue that models with enhanced bulk viscosity can hardly lead to a self-consistent explanation of observational set (a) due to strong neutrino emission, which is typical for these models (unrealistically powerful energy source is required to keep NSs at the observed temperatures). We also demonstrate that the observational set (b), combined with the theory of internal heating and NS cooling, provides evidence of enhanced r-mode dissipation at low temperatures, $T^\infty\sim 2\times 10^7$ K. Observational set (c) allows us to set an upper limit on the internal temperatures of MSPs, $T^\infty<2\times 10^7$ K (assuming a canonical NS with the accreted crust). Recycling scenario can produce MSPs at these temperatures only if r-mode instability is suppressed in the whole MSP spin frequency range ($ν\lesssim 750$ Hz) at temperatures $2\times 10^7\lesssim T^\infty\lesssim 3 \times 10^7$ K, providing thus a new constraint on the r-mode instability window. These observational constraints are analysed in more details in application to the resonance uplift scenario of Gusakov et al. [Phys. Rev. Lett., 112 (2014), 151101].

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2017

Vortex buoyancy in superfluid and superconducting neutron stars

Buoyancy of proton vortices is considered as one of the important mechanisms of magnetic field expulsion from the superconducting interiors of neutron stars. Here we show that the generally accepted expression for the buoyancy force is not correct and should be modified. The correct expression is derived for both neutron and proton vortices. It is argued that this force is already contained in the coarse-grained hydrodynamics of Bekarevich & Khalatnikov and its various multifluid extensions, but is absent in the hydrodynamics of Hall. Some potentially interesting buoyancy-related effects are briefly discussed.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2017

Relativistic dynamics of superfluid-superconducting mixtures in the presence of topological defects and an electromagnetic field with application to neutron stars

The relativistic dynamic equations are derived for a superfluid-superconducting mixture coupled to the electromagnetic field. For definiteness, and bearing in mind possible applications of our results to neutron stars, it is assumed that the mixture is composed of superfluid neutrons, superconducting protons, and normal electrons. Proton superconductivity of both I and II types is analysed, and possible presence of neutron and proton vortices (or magnetic domains in the case of type-I proton superconductivity) is allowed for. The derived equations neglect all dissipative effects except for the mutual friction dissipation and are valid for arbitrary temperatures (i.e. they do not imply that all nucleons are paired), which is especially important for magnetar conditions. It is demonstrated that these general equations can be substantially simplified for typical neutron stars, for which a kind of magnetohydrodynamic approximation is justified. Our results are compared to the nonrelativistic formulations existing in the literature and a number of discrepancies are found. In particular, it is shown that, generally, the electric displacement ${\pmb D}$ does not coincide with the electric field ${\pmb E}$, contrary to what is stated in the previous works. The relativistic framework developed here is easily extendable to account for more sophisticated microphysics models and it provides the necessary basis for realistic modelling of neutron stars.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2016

Relativistic formulation of the Hall-Vinen-Bekarevich-Khalatnikov superfluid hydrodynamics

The relativistic analogue of the Hall-Vinen-Bekarevich-Khalatnikov (HVBK) hydrodynamics is derived making use of the phenomenological method similar to that used by Bekarevich and Khalatnikov [1] in their derivation of HVBK-hydrodynamics. The resulting equations describe a finite-temperature superfluid liquid with the distributed vorticity. The main dissipative effects, including mutual friction, are taken into account. The proposed hydrodynamics is needed for reliable modeling of the dynamical properties of superfluid neutron stars.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2014

New possible class of neutron stars: hot and fast non-accreting rotators

A new class of neutron stars (NSs) -- hot rapidly rotating non-accreting NSs, which we propose to call HOFNARs (HOt and Fast Non-Accreting Rotators) or "hot widows" (in analogy with "black widow" pulsars) -- is suggested. We argue that such stars should originate from the low-mass X-ray binaries (LMXBs) provided that they were unstable with respect to excitation of $r$-modes at the end of accretion epoch (when their low-mass companions ceased to fill the Roche lobe). High temperature of "hot widows"/HOFNARs is maintained by $r$-mode dissipation rather than by accretion. We analyse observational properties of "hot widows"/HOFNARs and demonstrate that these objects form a specific separate class of neutron stars. In particular, some of the most stable X-ray sources among the candidates to quiescent LMXB systems (qLMXBs), can, in fact, belong to that new class. We formulate observational criteria which allow to distinguish "hot widows"/HOFNARs from qLMXB systems, and argue that available observations of X-ray sources 47 Tuc X5 and X7 satisfy (or, at least, do not contradict) these criteria. In addition, we discuss indirect evidences in favor of "hot widows"/HOFNARs existence, following from the analysis of observations and predictions of population synthesis theories. If that new class of NSs does exist, it would prove the possibility to emit gravitational waves by mass-current multipole. Various applications of our results, such as prospects for constraining superdense matter properties with hot widows"/HOFNARs, are analyzed.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2014

Explaining observations of rapidly rotating neutron stars in LMXBs

In a previous paper [M. E. Gusakov, A. I. Chugunov, and E. M. Kantor, Phys. Rev. Lett. 112, 151101 (2014)], we introduced a new scenario that explains the existence of rapidly rotating warm neutron stars (NSs) observed in low-mass X-ray binaries (LMXBs). Here it is described in more detail. The scenario takes into account the interaction between superfluid inertial modes and the normal (quadrupole) $m=2$ $r$-mode, which can be driven unstable by Chandrasekhar-Friedman-Schutz (CFS) mechanism. This interaction can only occur at some fixed "resonance" stellar temperatures; it leads to formation of the "stability peaks" which stabilize a star in the vicinity of these temperatures. We demonstrate that a NS in LMXB spends a substantial fraction of time on the stability peak, that is, in the region of stellar temperatures and spin frequencies, that has been previously thought to be CFS unstable with respect to excitation of $r$-modes. We also find that the spin frequencies of NSs are limited by the CFS instability of normal (octupole) $m=3$ $r$-mode rather than by $m=2$ $r$-mode. This result agrees with the predicted value of the cutoff spin frequency $\sim 730$ Hz in the spin distribution of accreting millisecond X-ray pulsars. In addition, we analyze evolution of a NS after the end of the accretion phase and demonstrate that millisecond pulsars can be born in LMXBs within our scenario. Besides millisecond pulsars, our scenario also predicts a new class of LMXB descendants - hot and rapidly rotating nonaccreting NSs ("hot widows"/HOFNARs). Further comparison of the proposed theory with observations of rotating NSs can impose new important constraints on the properties of superdense matter.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2014

Instability windows and evolution of rapidly rotating neutron stars

We consider an instability of rapidly rotating neutron stars in low-mass X-ray binaries (LMXBs) with respect to excitation of r-modes (which are analogous to Earth's Rossby waves controlled by the Coriolis force). We argue that finite temperature effects in the superfluid core of a neutron star lead to a resonance coupling and enhanced damping (and hence stability) of oscillation modes at certain stellar temperatures. Using a simple phenomenological model we demonstrate that neutron stars with high spin frequency may spend a substantial amount of time at these `resonance' temperatures. This finding allows us to explain puzzling observations of hot rapidly rotating neutron stars in LMXBs and to predict a new class of hot, non-accreting, rapidly rotating neutron stars, some of which may have already been observed and tentatively identified as quiescent LMXB (qLMXB) candidates. We also impose a new theoretical limit on the neutron star spin frequency, explaining the cut-off spin frequency ~730 Hz, following from the statistical analysis of accreting millisecond X-ray pulsars. Besides explaining the observations, our model provides a new tool to constrain superdense matter properties comparing measured and theoretically predicted resonance temperatures.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2009

Damping of sound waves in superfluid nucleon-hyperon matter of neutron stars

We consider sound waves in superfluid nucleon-hyperon matter of massive neutron-star cores. We calculate and analyze the speeds of sound modes and their damping times due to the shear viscosity and non-equilibrium weak processes of particle transformations. For that, we employ the dissipative relativistic hydrodynamics of a superfluid nucleon-hyperon mixture, formulated recently [M.E. Gusakov and E.M. Kantor, Phys. Rev. D78, 083006 (2008)]. We demonstrate that the damping times of sound modes calculated using this hydrodynamics and the ordinary (nonsuperfluid) one, can differ from each other by several orders of magnitude.

astro-ph.SR↗