Dynamical capture binary neutron star mergers

William E. East, Frans Pretorius

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

62 Scopus citations

Abstract

We study dynamical capture binary neutron star mergers as may arise in dense stellar regions such as globular clusters. Using general-relativistic hydrodynamics, we find that these mergers can result in the prompt collapse to a black hole or in the formation of a hypermassive neutron star, depending not only on the neutron star equation of state but also on impact parameter. We also find that these mergers can produce accretion disks of up to a tenth of a solar mass and unbound ejected material of up to a few percent of a solar mass. We comment on the gravitational radiation and electromagnetic transients that these sources may produce.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article numberL4
JournalAstrophysical Journal Letters
Volume760
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 20 2012

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
  • Space and Planetary Science

Keywords

  • black hole physics
  • gamma-ray burst: general
  • gravitation
  • gravitational waves
  • stars: neutron

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