As an ether theorist, I dispute that quantum theorists even have a clear idea of how a neutron star is formed.
Using the ether Model I work with, the first step in formation of a neutron star would be that a typical star or sun loses much of its internal energy as it ages (it "becomes tired.") Then, as the standard theories go, the old star is destroyed. Here is where the ether model departs from the standard models.
With my ether Model, the violence of the destruction of the old star system (central sun plus its satellite planets) is so great that the atoms of the star system lose their atomic "signatures," which will produce freed-up protons, neutrons, and electrons. -In my Model, there is an ether matrix, in which the larger quantum particles (protons, neutrons, electrons, which are much larger than the units making up the surrounding ether matrix) exist within. So in this area where there now are a vast number of newly freed-up protons, neutrons, and electrons, all the freed-up particles will tend to follow similar pathways, or channels, through the ether matrix (through "like-unit" channels being created in the surrounding matrix.) That means the protons will tend to congregate together, forming a new star (Nova.). The neutrons will similarly follow similar pathways through the matrix, forming a new neutron star.
The Nova will stay in the same region of space as the previous star occupied, but in this ether Model, the new neutron star will leave the area, being attracted toward other, neutronic-attractor, regions of space.
The electrons will similarly congregate together, forming gamma ray emissions that travel through space -If the old star's destruction was large enough, the electrons could form a "gamma ray burst."
That's how my ether Model would explain the genesis of neutron stars.