The Impact of Neutron Transfer Reactions on the Heating and Cooling of Accreted Neutron Star Crusts

Schatz, H.; Meisel, Z.; Brown, E. F.; Gupta, S. S.; Hitt, G. W.; Hix, W. R.; Jain, R.; Lau, R.; Möller, P.; Ong, W. -J.; Shternin, P. S.; Xu, Y.; Wiescher, M.

doi:10.3847/1538-4357/ac4271

The Impact of Neutron Transfer Reactions on the Heating and Cooling of Accreted Neutron Star Crusts

Journal Article · Sun Feb 06 23:00:00 EST 2022 · The Astrophysical Journal

DOI:https://doi.org/10.3847/1538-4357/ac4271· OSTI ID:1844036

; ; ; Gupta, S. S.; Hitt, G. W.; ; Jain, R.; ; Möller, P.; Ong, W. -J.; ; Xu, Y.; Wiescher, M.

Abstract

Nuclear reactions heat and cool the crust of accreting neutron stars and need to be understood to interpret observations of X-ray bursts and long-term cooling in transiently accreting systems. It was recently suggested that previously ignored neutron transfer reactions may play a significant role in the nuclear processes. We present results from full nuclear network calculations that now include these reactions and determine their impact on crust composition, crust impurity, heating, and cooling. We find that a large number of neutron transfer reactions indeed occur and impact crust models. In particular, we identify a new type of reaction cycle that brings a pair of nuclei across the nuclear chart into equilibrium via alternating neutron capture and neutron release, interspersed with a neutron transfer. While neutron transfer reactions lead to changes in crust model predictions and need to be considered in future studies, previous conclusions concerning heating, cooling, and compositional evolution are remarkably robust.

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Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE

Grant/Contract Number:: NONE; SC0019042; FG02-88ER40387

OSTI ID:: 1844036

Alternate ID(s):: OSTI ID: 1845694
OSTI ID: 1855674
OSTI ID: 1864687
OSTI ID: 2565795

Journal Information:: The Astrophysical Journal, Journal Name: The Astrophysical Journal Journal Issue: 2 Vol. 925; ISSN 0004-637X

Publisher:: American Astronomical SocietyCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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The Impact of Neutron Transfer Reactions on the Heating and Cooling of Accreted Neutron Star Crusts

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The Impact of Neutron Transfer Reactions on the Heating and Cooling of Accreted Neutron Star Crusts

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