Effects of electron band structure on neutrino pair bremsstrahlung in neutron star crusts
- NORDITA, Blegdamsvej 17, DK-2100 Copenhagen O/ (Denmark)
We calculate the rate of energy emission by bremsstrahlung of neutrino pairs by electrons moving in the crystalline lattice of ions in dense matter in the crust of a neutron star. Since the periodic potential in the solid gives rise to electronic band gaps which can be as large as about 1 MeV, it is necessary in estimating the bremsstrahlung rate at low temperatures to take into account band structure in detail. We find that, in the densest parts of the inner crust of a neutron star, neutrino emission at temperatures of about 2{times}10{sup 9}K or less is much suppressed compared with earlier estimates that treated the electron-lattice interaction perturbatively, and conclude that neutrino pair bremsstrahlung by electrons in the crusts of neutron stars is much less important for neutron star thermal evolution than was previously thought. {copyright} {ital 1997} {ital The American Physical Society}
- DOE Contract Number:
- FG06-88ER40427
- OSTI ID:
- 554429
- Journal Information:
- Physical Review, D, Vol. 56, Issue 12; Other Information: PBD: Dec 1997
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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