Neutron-mirror neutron mixing and neutron stars

The oscillation of neutron n into mirror neutron n', its mass degenerate partner from dark mirror sector, can gradually transform the neutron stars into the mixed stars consisting in part of mirror dark matter. In quark stars n - n' transitions are suppressed. We study the structure of mixed stars and derive the mass-radius scaling relations between the configurations of purely neutron star and maximally mixed star (MMS) containing equal amounts of ordinary and mirror components. In particular, we show that the MMS masses can be at most M-NS(max)/root 2 where M-NS(max) is a maximum mass of a pure neutron star allowed by a given equation of state. We evaluate n - n' transition rate in neutron stars, and show that various astrophysical limits on pulsar properties exclude the transition times in a wide range 10(5) year < tau(epsilon) < 10(15) year. For short transition times, tau(epsilon) < 10(5) year, the different mixed stars of the same mass can have different radii, depending on their age, which possibility can be tested by the NICER measurements. We also discuss subtleties related with the possible existence of mixed quark stars, and possible implications for the gravitational waves from the neutron star mergers and associated electromagnetic signals.

Automated summary

The study examines the oscillation of neutrons into mirror neutrons and its impact on the structure of mixed stars, with transitions suppressed in quark stars. It also evaluates transition rates in neutron stars and discusses implications for the gravitational waves and associated electromagnetic signals from neutron star mergers. Findings suggest potential differences in radii among mixed stars of the same mass due to age differences.