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arXiv · 1111.3205

Enhancement of dark matter capture by neutron stars in binary systems

Lionel Brayeur·Peter Tinyakov
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Abstract

We study the capture of dark matter particles by neutron stars in close binary systems. By performing a direct numerical simulation, we find that there is a sizable amplification of the rate of dark matter capture by each of the companions. In case of the binary pulsar PSR J1906+0746 with the orbital period of 4 hours the amplification factor is 3.5. This amplification can be attributed to the energy loss by dark matter particles resulting from their gravitational scattering off moving companions.

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Lionel Brayeur, Peter Tinyakov. 2011-11-14. Enhancement of dark matter capture by neutron stars in binary systems. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevlett.109.061301

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