The minimum neutron star mass in neutrino-driven supernova explosions

Abstract

Supernova theory has struggled to explain the lightest known neutron star candidate with an accurate mass determination, the $1.174{\mathrm{M}}_{\odot }$ companion in the eccentric compact binary system J0453+1559. To improve the theoretical lower limit for neutron star birth masses, we perform 3D supernova simulations for five stellar models close to the minimum mass for iron core collapse. We obtain a record-low neutron star mass of $1.192{\mathrm{M}}_{\odot }$ and a substantial kick of $\sim 100\mathrm{km}{\mathrm{s}}^{-1}$. Given residual uncertainties in stellar evolution, a neutron star origin for the $1.174{\mathrm{M}}_{\odot }$ object remains plausible.

6 pages, 3 figures. Acceptef for publication in Physical Review Letters