Neutrino Emission from Accreting Neutron Stars Explored in New Research

Researchers from the University of Tubingen have made significant discoveries regarding the expected properties of neutrino emission from accreting neutron stars in X-ray binaries. Using numerical simulations, they have found that such processes can produce strong neutrino emission up to a few tens of TeV when the X-ray luminosity is above 10^39 erg s^-1, as seen in ultra-luminous X-ray (ULX) pulsars. Their results have implications for interpreting data from current and upcoming instruments with improved sensitivity.

Key Takeaways:

• The research team used numerical simulations to explore the expected properties of neutrino emission from accreting neutron stars in X-ray binaries.
• They found that charged pions and kaons generated in inelastic collisions between protons accelerated up to TeV energies and protons of the accretion disc are responsible for neutrino production.
• The simulations show that neutrinos can be produced up to a few tens of TeV when the X-ray luminosity is above 10^39 erg s^-1.
• The team derived an upper limit on the neutrino flux from the Galactic ULX pulsar Swift J0243.6+6124 using IceCube data, a result not previously reported.
• Their findings establish a new benchmark for future astrophysical neutrino observations.
• The research has implications for interpreting data from current and upcoming instruments with significantly improved sensitivity.

Statistics:

• The research found that neutrinos can be produced up to a few tens of TeV when the X-ray luminosity is above 10^39 erg s^-1.
• The team derived an upper limit on the neutrino flux from the Galactic ULX pulsar Swift J0243.6+6124 using IceCube data.
• The simulations are based on a model with a magnetized (B ¿ 10^12 G) neutron star and a protons of the accretion disc.
• The research has been peer-reviewed.

Sources:

• NewsRx. Findings on Physics Detailed by Investigators at University of Tubingen (Ultra-luminous X-ray Pulsars As Sources of Tev Neutrinos). Journal of Physics Research. October 21, 2025; p 1210.
• Ultra-luminous X-ray Pulsars As Sources of Tev Neutrinos. Astronomy & Astrophysics, 2025;701.