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Hydrogen and helium abundances in neutron-star atmospheres

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Abstract

An analysis is presented of the burning and diffusion of hydrogen and helium in a neutron-star atmosphere. An initial two-component atmosphere of hydrogen and carbon and of helium and carbon is examined utilizing various photospheric temperatures. The hydrogen burns through the proton-proton reaction and the CN-cycle and the helium by the triple-alpha process and alpha capture on carbon. It is found that only a negligible proportion of hydrogen or helium can exist after a few years in the neutron-star atmosphere.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Lawrence Radiation Laboratory Livermore, Calif.

    Leonard C. Rosen

  2. NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, New York, N.Y.

    Leonard C. Rosen

  3. Columbia University, New York, N.Y.

    Leonard C. Rosen

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  1. Leonard C. Rosen
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Rosen, L.C. Hydrogen and helium abundances in neutron-star atmospheres. Astrophys Space Sci 1, 372–387 (1968). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00656008

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00656008

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