Short GRBs and dark matter seeding in neutron stars

TL;DR

This paper proposes a novel dark matter-induced mechanism for short gamma-ray bursts involving neutron star conversion to quark stars, offering an alternative to binary merger models and suggesting observable signatures for differentiation.

Contribution

It introduces a new model where dark matter self-annihilation triggers neutron star conversion, providing a different explanation for short gamma-ray bursts.

Findings

Dark matter accretion can induce neutron star conversion to quark stars.

This process may produce gamma-ray bursts similar to observed short GRBs.

Distinct observational signatures can differentiate this mechanism from merger scenarios.

Abstract

We present a mechanism based on internal self-annihilation of dark matter accreted from the galactic halo in the inner regions of neutron stars that may trigger the full or partial conversion into a quark star. We explain how this effect may induce a gamma ray burst that could be classified as short, according to the usual definition based on time duration of the prompt gamma-ray emission. This mechanism differs in many aspects from the most discussed scenario associating short gamma-ray bursts with compact object binary mergers. We list possible observational signatures that should help to distinguish between these two possible classes of progenitors.