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Cooling of Superfluid Neutron Stars

2002/04/13 by D. G. Yakovlev, Oleg Y. Gnedin, Yakovlev, D. G. +6
Earth and Planetary Sciences · Physics and Astronomy · #Astrophysical Phenomena and Observations #Astrophysics (astro-ph) #FOS: Physical sciences #Geophysics and Gravity Measurements #Pulsars and Gravitational Waves Research #astro-ph

paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.astro-ph/0204226

14 pages, 13 figures, he_symp; to be published in Proceedings of the 270. Heraeus Seminar on Neutron Stars, Pulsars and Supernova Remnants, Bad Honnef, Jan. 21-25, 2002

arxiv created 2002/04/13 · openalex publication_date 2002/04/13 · arxiv updated 2009/12/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28

Abstract

Cooling of neutron stars (NSs) with the cores composed of neutrons, protons, and electrons is analyzed. The main cooling regulators are discussed: opening of direct Urca process in a NS central kernel; superfluidity of nucleons in NS interiors; surface layers of light (accreted) elements; strong surface magnetic fields. An emphasis is paid on the cooling scenario with strong 1S0 pairing of protons and weak 3P2 pairing of neutrons in the NS core, as well as strong 1S0 pairing of neutrons in the NS crust. The theory predicts three types of isolated cooling middle-aged NSs with distinctly different properties: low-mass, slowly cooling NSs; medium-mass, moderately cooling NSs; massive, rapidly cooling NSs. The theory is compared with observations of isolated NSs -- pulsars and radio quiet NSs in supernova remnants. The constraints on physical properties of NSs which can be inferred from such a comparison are outlined.

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