The Petrova wavelength used in the book is not arbitrary.

We’re told in 01.117 that the emission is at a 25.984 micron wavelength, placing it in the infrared part of the spectrum. The wavelength is mentioned again in 03.240. But there is a possible reason for Weir choosing that wavelength.

The Compton wavelength of a particle is the wavelength of a photon with an energy equivalent to the mass of the particle.

By combining the Planck equation (E = hν) with Einstein’s E = mc², one can derive the Compton wavelength λ = h/mc.

Rearranging for mass, we get h/λc.

That means 25.984 microns corresponds to the Compton wavelength of a particle of mass 8.5094 × 10⁻³⁸ kg or 0.047806 eV.

This is plausible for the mass of a neutrino. The exact masses of the various flavours of neutrino are not known but have variously been given in the 0.008 eV to 0.05 eV range.

In an interview Andy Weir suggests the 25.984 number came out of a spreadsheet he built. He doesn’t give the details but his description does sound more involved than it merely being a Compton wavelength.

But even if it is just based on the Compton wavelength, it's in the ballpark.