Pulsar kicks via spin-1 color superconductivity

Area of Science:

• Astrophysics
• Nuclear Physics
• Neutron Star Physics

Background:

• Pulsars exhibit a bimodal velocity distribution that requires explanation.
• Neutron stars are compact objects with extreme densities and temperatures.
• Understanding the internal composition and dynamics of neutron stars is crucial for astrophysics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose a new mechanism for generating strong velocity kicks in neutron stars.
• To explain the observed bimodal velocity distribution of pulsars.
• To link neutron star dynamics to the properties of exotic quark matter.

Main Methods:

• Theoretical modeling of neutrino emission from neutron stars.
• Investigating the properties of spin-1 color-superconducting quark matter in the A phase.
• Simulating the conditions under which neutrino propulsion can occur.

Main Results:

• A novel neutrino propulsion mechanism is proposed for neutron stars.
• The mechanism naturally generates spatial asymmetry in neutrino emission.
• This asymmetry leads to strong velocity kicks, potentially explaining pulsar velocities.

Conclusions:

• The proposed neutrino propulsion mechanism offers a viable explanation for pulsar velocity kicks.
• The presence of spin-1 color-superconducting quark matter in the A phase is key to the mechanism.
• Further research can explore the observational consequences of this phenomenon.