Abstract
We propose that some neutron stars in low-mass x-ray binaries can accrete sufficient mass to undergo a phase transition to become strange stars. The energy released per conversion event satisfies the requirements of cosmological -ray bursts, and the Lorentz factor of the resultant expanding fireball may exceed because the strange star has very low baryon contamination. The model burst rate is consistent with observations.
- Received 21 November 1995
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.77.1210
©1996 American Physical Society