Deconfinement of quark content in neutron stars due to cosmic external agents

TL;DR

This paper explores how cosmic external agents depositing energy in neutron stars could trigger internal phase transitions, altering their structure and emitting detectable gamma-ray signals, thus impacting our understanding of neutron star physics.

Contribution

It proposes a novel scenario where cosmic agents induce quark deconfinement in neutron stars, leading to observable astrophysical phenomena.

Findings

Potential gamma-ray signals of 10-100 keV from neutron star transitions

Energy deposition by cosmic agents can trigger internal phase changes

Altered equations of state due to deconfinement could be detectable

Abstract

We summarize in this contribution to the the proceedings of "Compact Stars in the QCD Phase Diagram III (CSQCD III)", December 12-15, 2012, Guaruja, SP, Brazil the possibility of an scenario involving the existence of cosmic external agents able to deposit energy in neutron stars by (co-) or self-annihilation. This, in turn, may drive a internal phase transition in neutron stars in a sort of Trojan mechanism disrupting the original configuration. This event would have macroscopic consequences, by changing the EoS of the object and by the emission of a multimessenger signal, that in the photon range could be detected with gamma rays of $\sim10-100$ keV.