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

Understand

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.