NSLABDM · Neutron stars as a laboratory for dense matter

Neutron stars as a laboratory for dense matter

Neutron stars are a unique laboratory for testing matter under extreme conditions. The final aim is to understand neutron star observables, such as the mass, typical radius or rotation, in terms of a plausible scenario for its interior. Over the past years a particular effort has been invested in studying matter with strange content in the core of neutron stars. To this end the research program has addressed different aspects of dense matter with strangeness emphasizing the systematic and reliable procedure used. On the one hand, the analysis of the properties of strange hadrons in a hot and dense environment has been carried out within the framework of effective field theories. On the other hand, different features of neutron stars, such as their bulk properties (mass and typical radius) and their oscillatory modes have been studied. This analysis has been done in close connection to back-to-Earth experimental programs. Specifically, several objectives have been achieved during the whole period of the Marie Curie Integration Grant. First, the properties of strange and non-strange hadrons in dense matter have been studied and first attempts have been done in order to understand the experimental results coming from heavy-ion collisions for SIS/GSI and future FAIR energies. Second, results on heavy-ion collisions for strange mesons at SIS/GSI have been used to constrain certain bulk properties of neutron stars, such as the equation of state at high densities, and to analyze the implications for the mass, the radius and the moment of inertia. Third, the structure of neutron stars has been also addressed from an unconventional point of view by studying neutron stars admixed with dark matter. Finally, different dissipative processes and the associated transport coefficients of phonons have been analyzed in superfluid neutron-star matter, such as the shear and bulk viscosities as well as the thermal conductivity. While the viscous coefficients determine the dynamics of non-radial oscillations of rotating neutron star and the subsequent emission of gravitational radiation, the thermal conductivity is of crucial importance for the cooling in neutron stars. The ultimate goal of the research program is to offer predictions for neutron star observables in a systematic and reliable way by means of effective field theoretical approaches with help from back-to-Earth experimental programs. All the results that have been obtained have wide implications for a comprehensive understanding of the interior of neutron stars and represent an advance in grasping the features of strongly interacting matter under extreme conditions. Furthermore, from the point of view of career development, the integration grant has allowed the researcher to enhance her scientific horizons by consolidating collaborations and by developing new ones, and to prove the researcher’s capability of attracting highly prestigious funds. Altogether, the integration grant should enhance tremendously the researcher’s chances to obtain a permanent position in the complicated European economical scenario.

Текст от CORDIS, на английски · Данни: CORDIS, © Европейски съюз