An X-Ray-dim "Isolated'' Neutron Star in a Binary?

TL;DR

This paper reports the discovery of a binary system with a dark companion potentially being the nearest and lightest neutron star, characterized by unique optical and radio observations, and discusses its implications for neutron star populations.

Contribution

It presents evidence for a possible radio-quiet neutron star companion in a binary system, a novel finding that challenges existing detection methods.

Findings

Dark companion likely a neutron star or magnetic white dwarf

Absence of radio pulsations suggests a radio-quiet neutron star

System may be associated with supernova nucleosynthesis signals

Abstract

We report the discovery of a dark companion to 2MASS J15274848+3536572 with an orbital period of 6.14 hr. Combining the radial velocity from LAMOST observations and modelling of the multiband light curve, one obtains a mass function of $\simeq 0.131~\rm M_{\odot}$, an inclination of $45.20^\circ{}^{+0.13^{\circ}}_{-0.20^{\circ}}$, and a mass ratio of $0.631^{+0.014}_{-0.003}$, which demonstrate the binary nature of the dark companion with mass of $0.98 \pm 0.03\rm M_{\odot}$ and a main-sequence K9-M0 star of $0.62 \pm 0.01~\rm M_{\odot}$. LAMOST optical spectra at a range of orbital phases reveal extra-peaked Halpha emission that suggests the presence of an accretion disk. The dark companion does not seem to be a white dwarf because of the lack of any observed dwarf nova outbursts in the long-term data archive, although a magnetic white dwarf cannot be excluded. Alternatively, we propose a scenario wherein the dark companion is a neutron star, but we have not detected radio pulsations or a single pulse from the system with the FAST (Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope), which hints at a radio-quiet compact object. If the dark companion is identified as a neutron star, it will be the nearest ( ~ 118 pc) and lightest neutron star. Furthermore, a kinematic analysis of the system's orbit in the galaxy may suggest its supernova event is associated with the radionuclide $^{60} \rm Fe$ signal observed from the deep-sea crusts. This radio-quiet and X-ray-dim nearby neutron star may resemble an XDINS (X-ray-dim isolated neutron star), but in a binary.