How does an accretion disk around a neutron star differ from an accretion disk around a white dwarf?

The accretion disk around a neutron star is much hotter and emits higher-energy radiation compared to the accretion disk around a white dwarf due to the differences in the mass and density of these stellar remnants. Neutron stars are incredibly dense, with strong gravitational fields that can reach extreme temperatures in their accretion disks, particularly because they are often formed from supernova explosions. As material falls into the gravitational well of a neutron star, it accelerates and heats up significantly before reaching the surface or being expelled back into space. This results in the emission of X-rays and other high-energy radiation.

In contrast, white dwarfs, while also emitting radiation from their surrounding accretion disks, do not reach the same high temperatures as neutron stars because they have lower mass and weaker gravitational fields. Consequently, the accretion process around a white dwarf produces cooler, lower-energy emissions. This fundamental distinction in temperature and radiation output between the two types of accretion disks is central to understanding how different stellar remnants interact with their surrounding material.