A neutron star is an incredibly dense remnant that forms after a massive star goes supernova. It consists primarily of tightly packed neutrons and has a strong gravitational field. Accretion disks, on the other hand, are formed when matter from a companion star spirals onto the surface of the neutron star.
If a neutron star loses its accretion disk, several things can happen depending on the specific circumstances:
Diminished X-ray Emission: Accretion disks are a significant source of X-ray emission from neutron stars. When the accretion disk is depleted or removed, the X-ray emission associated with the accretion process would diminish. Neutron stars without accretion disks are typically observed as pulsars, emitting regular pulses of radiation.
Decreased Mass Accretion: Without an accretion disk, the mass transfer from a companion star onto the neutron star would cease. This means that the neutron star would no longer gain additional mass from the accretion process. However, it should be noted that the initial mass of the neutron star remains unaffected.
Transition to Isolated Neutron Star: If a neutron star loses its accretion disk and does not have any other significant sources of matter falling onto it, it would transition to an isolated neutron star. In this state, it would primarily emit radiation from its surface and any accompanying pulsar emissions. The isolated neutron star would continue to cool and gradually lose its thermal energy over time.
It's worth mentioning that the loss of an accretion disk doesn't drastically alter the fundamental nature of a neutron star. Neutron stars are incredibly dense and possess strong magnetic fields, which persist regardless of the presence of an accretion disk. The absence of the disk simply means the loss of a source of matter and energy for the neutron star.