Neutron Star Collapse From Accretion: a Probe of Massive Dark Matter Particles

TL;DR

This paper investigates how massive dark matter particles can be captured by neutron stars through momentum-dependent scattering, potentially leading to black hole formation and providing constraints on dark matter properties.

Contribution

It introduces a model for multi-scatter capture of massive dark matter with momentum dependence, and derives constraints from neutron star observations.

Findings

Momentum-dependent scattering enhances dark matter capture.

Large dark matter accumulation can cause neutron star collapse.

Observations of old neutron stars constrain dark matter parameters.

Abstract

We explore the multi-scatter capturing of the massive dark matter (DM) particle inside the neutron star via a momentum-dependent dark matter-nucleon scattering cross-section. We find that the capturing enhanced for the positive velocity and momentum transfer dependent DM-nucleon scattering in comparison with the constant cross-section case. Further, a large capture of the DM particles can be thermalized and lead to black hole formation and, therefore, destroy the neutron star. Using the observation of the old neutron star in the DM-dominated region, we obtain strong constraints on massive DM parameters.