Neutrino-pair bremsstrahlung in a neutron star crust

TL;DR

This paper derives an analytic approximation for neutrino-pair bremsstrahlung emissivity in neutron star crusts, accounting for realistic compositions and magnetic field effects, aiding neutron star thermal modeling.

Contribution

It introduces a new analytic approximation for neutrino bremsstrahlung emissivity in neutron star crusts, incorporating generalized Coulomb logarithms and effective electron-nucleus scattering potentials.

Findings

Provides an analytic fit for Coulomb logarithm in neutron star crusts.

Studies the impact of strong magnetic fields on neutrino bremsstrahlung.

Applicable to modeling thermal processes in various neutron star scenarios.

Abstract

Based on the formalism by Kaminker et al. (Astron. Astrophys. 343 (1999) 1009) we derive an analytic approximation for neutrino-pair bremsstrahlung emissivity due to scattering of electrons by atomic nuclei in the neutron star crust of any realistic composition. The emissivity is expressed through generalized Coulomb logarithm which we fit by introducing an effective potential of electron-nucleus scattering. In addition, we study the conditions at which the neutrino bremsstrahlung in the crust is affected by strong magnetic fields. The results can be applied for modelling of many phenomena in neutron stars, such as thermal relaxation in young isolated neutron stars and in accreting neutron stars with overheated crust in soft X-ray transients.