Theoretical Constraints on Neutron Star Superfluidity from Her X-1 Precession
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arXiv
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| Autori principali: | , , |
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| Natura: | Preprint |
| Pubblicazione: |
2026
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| _version_ | 1866911654430638080 |
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| author | Biryukov, Anton Levinson, Amir Abolmasov, Pavel |
| author_facet | Biryukov, Anton Levinson, Amir Abolmasov, Pavel |
| contents | Recent IXPE observations of Her X-1 reveal correlations between flux, polarization degree, and polarization angle across its 35-day superorbital cycle. These measurements have been interpreted as strong evidence that the 35-day period is driven by nearly free precession of the neutron star. We show that this interpretation carries far-reaching implications for the dynamics of the crustal superfluid. In particular, maintaining precession over the $\sim 50$-year observational baseline of Her X-1 would require that superfluid vortices remain unpinned for centuries and experience extremely weak mutual friction while traversing the heavy-ion lattice of the inner crust -- conditions that challenge conventional wisdom and standard models of glitch dynamics. Under the condition of weak pinning, nearly free precession of the crust may be sustained by a balance between the internal and external torques. |
| format | Preprint |
| id |
arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2605_04686 |
| institution | arXiv |
| publishDate | 2026 |
| record_format | arxiv |
| spellingShingle | Theoretical Constraints on Neutron Star Superfluidity from Her X-1 Precession Biryukov, Anton Levinson, Amir Abolmasov, Pavel High Energy Astrophysical Phenomena Recent IXPE observations of Her X-1 reveal correlations between flux, polarization degree, and polarization angle across its 35-day superorbital cycle. These measurements have been interpreted as strong evidence that the 35-day period is driven by nearly free precession of the neutron star. We show that this interpretation carries far-reaching implications for the dynamics of the crustal superfluid. In particular, maintaining precession over the $\sim 50$-year observational baseline of Her X-1 would require that superfluid vortices remain unpinned for centuries and experience extremely weak mutual friction while traversing the heavy-ion lattice of the inner crust -- conditions that challenge conventional wisdom and standard models of glitch dynamics. Under the condition of weak pinning, nearly free precession of the crust may be sustained by a balance between the internal and external torques. |
| title | Theoretical Constraints on Neutron Star Superfluidity from Her X-1 Precession |
| topic | High Energy Astrophysical Phenomena |
| url | https://arxiv.org/abs/2605.04686 |