Detecting supersymmetric Q-balls with neutron stars

Abstract

Supersymmetric Q-balls trapped in neutron stars or white dwarfs may cause the stars to explode. Trapping of Q-balls in neutron stars is shown to be less likely, but trapping in neutron star progenitors more likely than hitherto assumed, making neutron stars very sensitive Q-ball "detectors". White dwarfs only trap potentially dangerous Q-balls in a narrow parameter range.

Comments: 6 pages, 2 figures, accepted for publication in Physics Letters B