arXiv subjects

P. Haensel

Publications and source records attributed to P. Haensel.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

arXiv2000

Bulk viscosity in superfluid neutron star cores. I. Direct Urca processes in npeμmatter

The bulk viscosity of the neutron star matter due to the direct Urca processes involving nucleons, electrons and muons is studied taking into account possible superfluidity of nucleons in the neutron star cores. The cases of singlet-state pairing or triplet-state pairing (without and with nodes of the superfluid gap at the Fermi surface) of nucleons are considered. It is shown that the superfluidity may strongly reduce the bulk viscosity. The practical expressions for the superfluid reduction factors are obtained. For illustration, the bulk viscosity is calculated for two models of dense matter composed of neutrons, protons,electrons and muons. The presence of muons affects the bulk viscosity due to the direct Urca reactions involving electrons and produces additional comparable contribution due to the direct Urca reactions involving muons. The results can be useful for studying damping of vibrations of neutron stars with superfluid cores.

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arXiv2000

Cooling neutron stars with localized protons

We analyze cooling of neutron stars, assuming the presence of localized protons in the densest region of their cores. Choosing a single threshold density for proton localization and adjusting neutron star mass, we reproduce the observational data on effective surface temperatures of Vela and PSR 0656+14, with or without an accreted hydrogen envelope. However, the presence of a tiny hydrogen envelope is mandatory, in this model, for reproducing the Geminga data.

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arXiv2000

Innermost stable circular orbits around strange stars and kHz QPOs in low-mass X-ray binaries

Exact calculations of innermost stable circular orbit (ISCO) around rotating strange stars are performed within the framework of general relativity. Equations of state (EOS) of strange quark matter based on the MIT Bag Model with massive strange quarks and lowest order QCD interactions, are used. The presence of a solid crust of normal matter on rotating, mass accreting strange stars in LMXBs is taken into account. It is found that, contrary to neutron stars, above some minimum mass a gap always separates the ISCO and stellar surface, independently of the strange star rotation rate. For a given baryon mass of strange star, we calculate the ISCO frequency as function of stellar rotation frequency, from static to Keplerian configuration. For masses close to the maximum mass of static configurations the ISCO frequencies for static and Keplerian configurations are similar. However, for masses significantly lower than the maximum mass of static configurations, the minimum value of the ISCO frequency is reached in the Keplerian limit. Presence of a solid crust increases the ISCO frequency for the Keplerian configuration by about ten percent compared to that for a bare strange star of the same mass.

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arXiv1999

Neutrino emission due to electron bremsstrahlung in superfluid neutron-star cores

We study neutrino energy emission rates (emissivities) due to electron bremsstrahlung produced by $ee$ and $ep$ collisions in the superfluid neutron star cores. The neutrino emission due to $ee$ collisions is shown to be the dominant neutrino reaction at not too high temperatures ($T \la 10^8$ K) in dense matter if all other neutrino reactions involving nucleons are strongly suppressed by neutron and proton superfluidity. Simple practical expressions for the $ee$ and $ep$ neutrino emissivities are obtained. The efficiency of various neutrino reactions in the superfluid neutron-star cores is discussed for the cases of standard neutrino energy losses and the losses enhanced by the direct Urca process.

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arXiv1999

Fast rotation of strange stars

Exact models of uniformly rotating strange stars, built of self bound quark matter, are calculated within the framework of general relativity. This is made possible thanks to a new numerical technique capable to handle the strong density discontinuity at the surface of these stars. Numerical calculations are done for a simple MIT bag model equation of state of strange quark matter. Evolutionary sequences of models of rotating strange stars at constant baryon mass are calculated. Maximally rotating configurations of strange stars are determined, assuming that the rotation frequency is limited by the mass shedding and the secular instability with respect to axisymmetric perturbations. Exact formulae which give the dependence of the maximum rotation frequency, and of the maximum mass and corresponding radius of rotating configurations, on the value of the bag constant, are obtained. The values of T/W for rapidly rotating massive strange stars are significantly higher than those for ordinary neutron stars. This might indicate particular susceptibility of rapidly rotating strange stars to triaxial instabilities.

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arXiv1999

Transport properties and neutrino emissivity of dense neutron-star matter with localized protons

As pointed out by Kutschera and W{ó}jcik, very low concentration of protons combined with a specific density dependence of effective neutron-proton interaction could lead to a localization of ``proton impurities'' in neutron medium at densities exceeding four times normal nuclear matter density. We study consequences of the localization of protons for transport processes in dense neutron star cores, assuming random distribution of proton impurities. Kinetic equations, relevant for the transport of charge, heat and momentum, are solved using variational method. Localization of protons removes a T^{-2} factor from the transport coefficients, which leads, at lower temperatures, to a strong decrease of thermal conductivity, electrical conductivity and shear viscosity of neutron star matter, as compared to the standard case, where protons form a Fermi liquid. Due to the localization of protons a number of conventional neutrino emission processes (including modified URCA process) become inoperative in neutron star cores. On the other hand, the energy loss rate from neutrino-antineutrino pair bremsstrahlung due to electron and neutron scattering off (localized) protons, will have a specific T^6 dependence, which could modify the cooling of the neutron star core, as compared to the standard case. Possible astrophysical implications of the localization of protons for neutron star evolution and dynamics are discussed.

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arXiv1999

Transport properties of degenerate electrons in neutron star envelopes and white dwarf cores

New calculations of the thermal and electrical electron conductivities are performed for a broad range of physical parameters typical for envelopes of neutron stars and cores of white dwarfs. We consider stellar matter composed of astrophysically important chemical elements from H to Fe in the density range from 10^2-10^4 g/ccm up to 10^7-10^{10} g/ccm, where atoms are fully ionized and electrons are strongly degenerate. We have used modified ion structure factors suggested in physics/9811052. In the ion liquid, these modifications take into account, in an approximate way, instantaneous electron-band structures that reduce the electron-ion scattering rate. In crystallized matter, the new structure factors include multi-phonon processes important at temperatures not very much lower than the melting temperature T_m. The transport coefficients obtained differ significantly from those derived earlier in the important temperature range T_m/5 < T < 5 T_m. The results of our numerical calculations are fitted by analytical expressions convenient for astrophysical applications.

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arXiv1999

Maximum redshift and minimum rotation period of neutron stars

The lower bound on the period of uniform rotation of neutron stars (NS) with causal equation of state (EOS), P_ min, is shown to be determined, with a high precision, by the upper bound on the surface redshift of static neutron star models, z_ max. We obtain z_max=0.851, which turns out to be about 5% lower than upper bound obtained by Lindblom (1984). Using then the empirical formula for the maximum rotation frequency of uniform rotation of neutron star models with realistic causal EOS, derived by Lasota et al. (1996), we establish an approximate relation between z_max and P_min, in which P_min is proportional to the maximum mass of static NS, M_s^ max. In this way we reproduce, within 2%, the exact formula of Koranda et al. (1997) based on extensive exact numerical calculations. Replacing M_s^max by the maximum measured NS mass, 1.442 M_sun, we get a lower bound P_min = 0.288 ms.

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arXiv1999

Neutrino emission due to proton pairing in neutron stars

We calculate the neutrino energy emission rate due to singlet-state pairing of protons in the neutron star cores taking into account the relativistic correction to the non-relativistic rate. The non-relativistic rate is numerically small, and the relativistic correction appears to be about 10 -- 50 times larger. It plays thus the leading role, reducing great difference between the neutrino emissions due to pairing of protons and neutrons. The results are important for simulations of neutron star cooling.

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arXiv1999

On the minimum period of uniformly rotating meutron stars

We show that the neutron star minimum period of rotation is determined, for causal equations of state, by the maximum value of the relativistic (compactness) parameter 2GM/Rc^2, allowed by causality for static neutron stars, 0.7081, and by the largest measured mass of a neutron star. The relation between these three quantities, resulting from the extrapolation of the empirical formulae of Lasota et al. (1996), yields the minimum period of 0.288 ms, only 2% higher than an absolute lower bound obtained in extensive exact numerical calculations of Koranda et al. (1997).

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arXiv1998

Bounds on the existence of neutron rich nuclei in neutron star interiors

We address the question concerning the maximum density, at which nuclei (and more generally -- nuclear structures) can exist in neutron star interiors. An absolute upper bound to such a density is obtained using the bulk approximation, in which surface and Coulomb effects are neglected. A very good approximation to the limiting density is given by the threshold for the instability of a uniform n-p-e plasma with respect to density modulations; this threshold is calculated using the Extended Thomas-Fermi approximation for the Skyrme energy functionals. For recent SLy Skyrme forces, which are particularly suitable for the description of very neutron rich nucleon systems, the maximum density at which nuclear structures can exist is 0.08 nucleons/fm^3 (i.e., half of the normal nuclear density); at this density protons constitute only 4\% of nucleons.

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arXiv1997

Rapid differential rotation of protoneutron stars and constraints on radio pulsars periods

Models of differentially rotating protoneutron stars are calculated, using realistic equations of state of dense hot matter. Various conditions within the stellar interior, corresponding to different stages of protoneutron star evolution, are considered. Families of differentially rotating models of a given baryon mass are calculated, using a two-parameter formula describing the angular velocity profile within a rotating protoneutron star. Maximum angular momentum, which can be accommodated by a protoneutron star is calculated, for various thermal conditions in stellar interior, for a baryon mass of $1.5 M_\odot$. In the case of a thermally homogeneous (isentropic or isothermal) neutrino-opaque interior this maximum angular momentum turns out to be somewhat higher than that of a cold neutron star of the same baryon mass, rotating uniformly at the mass shedding angular velocity. However, if the protoneutron star has a thermal structure characteristic of initial state, with a low entropy (unshocked) core, and a high entropy (shocked) outer half of baryon mass, the maximum angular momentum is significantly lower. This leads to a minimum period of uniform rotation of cold neutron stars of baryon mass $\sim 1.5~M_\odot$, formed directly (i.e. without a subsequent significant accretion of mass) from protoneutron stars with shocked envelope, of about 1.7 ms and strengthens the hypothesis that millisecond pulsars are accretion accelerated neutron stars.

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arXiv1997

Neutrino synchrotron emission from dense magnetized electron gas of neutron stars

We study the synchrotron emission of neutrino pairs by relativistic, degenerate electrons in strong magnetic fields. Particular attention is paid to the case in which the dominant contribution comes from one or several lowest cyclotron harmonics. Calculations are performed using the exact quantum formalism and the quasiclassical approach. Simple analytic fits to the neutrino synchrotron emissivity are obtained in the domain of magnetized, degenerate and relativistic electron gas provided the electrons populate either many Landau levels or the ground level alone. The significance of the neutrino synchrotron energy losses in the interiors of cooling neutron stars is discussed.

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arXiv1997

Radial pulsations and stability of protoneutron stars

Radial pulsations of newborn neutron stars (protoneutron stars) are studied for a range of internal temperatures and entropies per baryon predicted by the existing numerical simulations. Protoneutron star models are constructed using a realistic equation of state of hot dense matter, and under various assumptions concerning stellar interior (large trapped lepton number, zero trapped lepton number, isentropic, isothermal). Under prevailing conditions, linear oscillations of a protoneutron star can be treated as adiabatic, and evolutionary effects can be neglected on dynamic timescale. The dynamic behavior is governed by the adiabatic index, which in turn depends on the physical state of the stellar interior. The eigenfrequencies of the lowest radial modes of linear, adiabatic pulsations are calculated. Stability of protoneutron stars with respect to small radial perturbations is studied, and the validity of the static stability criteria is discussed.

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arXiv1997

Neutrino pair emission due to scattering of electrons off fluxoids in superfluid neutron star cores

We study the emission of neutrinos, resulting from the scattering of electrons off magnetic flux tubes (fluxoids) in the neutron star cores with superfluid (superconducting) protons. In the absence of proton superfluidity (T> T_{cp}), this process transforms into the well known electron synchrotron emission of neutrino pairs in a locally uniform magnetic field B, with the neutrino energy loss rate Q proportional to B^2 T^5. For temperatures T not much below T_{cp}, the synchrotron regime (Q \propto T^5) persists and the emissivity Q can be amplified by several orders of magnitude due to the appearance of the fluxoids and associated enhancement of the field within them. For lower T, the synchrotron regime transforms into the bremsstrahlung regime (Q \propto T^6) similar to the ordinary neutrino-pair bremsstrahlung of electrons which scatter off atomic nuclei. We calculate Q numerically and represent our results through a suitable analytic fit. In addition, we estimate the emissivities of two other neutrino-production mechanisms which are usually neglected -- neutrino-pair bremsstrahlung processes due to electron-proton and electron-electron collisions. We show that the electron-fluxoid and electron-electron scattering can provide the main neutrino production mechanisms in the neutron star cores with highly superfluid protons and neutrons at T < 5 10^8 K. The electron-fluxoid scattering is significant if the initial, locally uniform magnetic field B > 10^{13} G.

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arXiv1996

Rapid uniform rotation of protoneutron stars

Rapid uniform rotation of newborn neutron stars (protoneutron stars) is studied for a range of internal temperatures and entropies per baryon predicted by the existing numerical simulations. Calculations are performed using general relativistic equations of hydrostatic equilibrium of rotating, axially symmetric stars. Stability of rotating configurations with respect to mass shedding and the axially symmetric perturbations is studied. Numerical calculations are performed for a realistic dense matter equation of state, under various assumptions concerning neutron star interior (large trapped lepton number, no trapped lepton number, isentropic, isothermal). For configurations with baryon mass well below the maximum one for the non-rotating models, the mass shedding limit depends quite sensitively on the position of the ``neutrinosphere''. The absolute upper limit on rotation frequency is, to a good approximation, obtained for the maximum baryon mass of rotating configurations. Empirical formula for the maximum rotation frequency of uniformly rotating protoneutron stars is shown to be quite precise; it actually coincides with that used for cold neutron stars. Evolutionary sequences at fixed baryon mass and angular momentum, which correspond to evolution of protoneutron stars into cold neutron stars are studied, and resulting constraints on the maximum rotation frequency of solitary pulsars are discussed.

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arXiv1996

Neutrino-electron scattering in dense magnetized plasma

We derive exact expressions for the cross section of neutrino scattering on electrons in dense, hot stellar matter, in the presence of strong magnetic fields. Numerical calculations of the scattering cross sections at various densities, temperatures and magnetic fields, are performed. Strong, quantizing magnetic fields modify significantly the angular and energy dependence of the scattering cross section.

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arXiv1996

Solid interiors of neutron stars and gravitational radiation

Contents: 1.Introduction 2. Formation and composition of the solid crust 3. The bottom layers of the crust: exotic nuclear shapes and topologies 4. Crust contribution to stellar mass and moment of inertia 5. Solid cores 6. Deformation, elastic strain and mountains 7. Shape and energy of rotating, partially solid neutron star 8. Oblateness and precession 9. Gravitational radiation from precessing pulsars 10. Gravitational radiation from precessing pulsars and pulsar timing 11. Detectability

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