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NonPrimordial Solar Mass Black Holes
Chris Kouvaris1, Peter Tinyakov2, Michel H G Tytgat2
1CP3-Origins & Danish Institute for Advanced Study DIAS, University of Southern Denmark, Campusvej 55, DK-5230 Odense M, Denmark.
Physical Review Letters
|December 15, 2018
Summary
A novel mechanism proposes converting neutron stars into light black holes (∼1 solar mass) using asymmetric fermionic dark matter. This discovery could be detected via gravitational wave astronomy, offering insights into dark matter properties.
Area of Science:
- Astrophysics
- Particle Physics
- Cosmology
Background:
- Neutron stars are remnants of massive stars, typically with masses greater than 1.4 solar masses.
- Stellar evolution models do not predict black holes with masses as low as ~1 solar mass.
- Dark matter, particularly asymmetric fermionic dark matter, is a candidate for explaining cosmological observations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To propose a mechanism for forming solar mass black holes from neutron stars.
- To investigate the role of asymmetric fermionic dark matter in this process.
- To estimate the observable consequences and testability of this scenario.
Main Methods:
- Theoretical modeling of dark matter accumulation within neutron stars.
- Analysis of the collapse dynamics leading to black hole formation.
- Estimation of the fraction of neutron stars convertible to black holes.
- Consideration of observational constraints from existing neutron star data.
Main Results:
- Asymmetric fermionic dark matter (TeV scale) with attractive self-interactions can accumulate in neutron stars.
- This accumulation can trigger a collapse, forming a black hole and converting the neutron star into a ~1 solar mass black hole.
- A sizable fraction of neutron stars could be converted without violating observational constraints.
Conclusions:
- The proposed mechanism offers a pathway to forming unexpectedly light black holes.
- The existence of such solar mass black holes in binary systems could be detectable by gravitational wave observatories.
- Observational searches for binary mergers of solar mass black holes can constrain or confirm the nature of dark matter.
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