Constraints on the Equation-of-State of neutron stars from nearby neutron star observations (original) (raw)

Toward a Mass and Radius Determination of the Nearby Isolated Neutron Star RX J185635−3754

The Astrophysical Journal, 2002

We discuss efforts to determine the mass, radius, and surface composition of the nearby compact object RX J185635-3754 from its multi-wavelength spectral energy distribution. We compute non-magnetized model atmospheres and emergent spectra for selected compositions and gravities, and discuss efforts to fit existing and new observational data from ROSAT, EUVE and the HST. The spectral energy distribution matches that expected from a heavy-element dominated atmosphere, but not from a uniform temperature blackbody. Non-magnetic light element atmospheres cannot be simultaneously reconciled with the optical and X-ray data. We extend previous studies, which were limited to one fixed neutron star mass and radius. For uniform temperature models dominated by heavy elements, the redshift z is constrained to be 0.3 z 0.4 and the best-fit mass and radius are M ≈ 0.9 M ⊙ and R ≈ 6 km (for a 61 pc distance). These values for M and R together are not permitted for any plausible equation of state, including that of a self-bound strange quark star. A simplified two-temperature model allows masses and radii up to about 50% larger, or a factor of 2 in the case of a black body. The observed luminosity is consistent with the thermal emission of an isolated neutron star no older than about 1 million years, the age inferred from available proper motion and parallax information.

GW170817: Measurements of Neutron Star Radii and Equation of State

Physical Review Letters, 2018

GW170817: Measurements of neutron star radii and equation of state The LIGO Scientific Collaboration and The Virgo Collaboration On August 17, 2017, the LIGO and Virgo observatories made the first direct detection of gravitational waves from the coalescence of a neutron star binary system. The detection of this gravitational wave signal, GW170817, offers a novel opportunity to directly probe the properties of matter at the extreme conditions found in the interior of these stars. The initial, minimal-assumption analysis of the LIGO and Virgo data placed constraints on the tidal effects of the coalescing bodies, which were then translated to constraints on neutron star radii. Here, we expand upon previous analyses by working under the hypothesis that both bodies were neutron stars that are described by the same equation of state and have spins within the range observed in Galactic binary neutron stars. Our analysis employs two methods: the use of equation-of-state-insensitive relations between various macroscopic properties of the neutron stars and the use of an efficient parameterization of the defining function p(ρ) of the equation of state itself. From the LIGO and Virgo data alone and the first method, we measure the two neutron star radii as R 1 = 10.8 +2.0 −1.7 km for the heavier star and R 2 = 10.7 +2.1 −1.5 km for the lighter star at the 90% credible level. If we additionally require that the equation of state supports neutron stars with masses larger than 1.97 M as required from electromagnetic observations and employ the equation of state parametrization, we further constrain R 1 = 11.9 +1.4 −1.4 km and R 2 = 11.9 +1.4 −1.4 km at the 90% credible level. Finally, we obtain constraints on p(ρ) at supranuclear densities, with pressure at twice nuclear saturation density measured at 3.5 +2.7 −1.7 × 10 34 dyn cm −2 at the 90% level.

Constraints on physics of neutron stars from X-ray observations

Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 2013

I summarize some constraints on the physics of neutron stars arising from X-ray observations of the surfaces of neutron stars, focusing on using models of low-magnetic-field neutron star atmospheres to interpret their X-ray spectra. I discuss observations of spectral lines, pulsation profiles, X-ray bursts, radius measurements of transiently accreting neutron stars in quiescence, crust and core cooling measurements of transiently accreting neutron stars, and cooling of young neutron stars. These observations have constrained the neutron star mass and radius (and thus the internal composition, and dense matter equation of state), the superfluidity and neutrino emissivity properties of the core, and the composition and superfluid state of the crust.

Theoretical and observational constraints on the mass-radius relations of neutron stars

arXiv (Cornell University), 2016

We investigate theoretical and observational constraints on the mass-radius relations for neutron stars. For that purpose we consider the model of neutron stars taking into considerations strong, weak, electromagnetic and gravitational interactions in the equation of state and integrate the structure equations within the Hartle-Thorne formalism for rotating configurations. On the basis of the theoretical restrictions imposed by general relativity, mass-shedding and axisymmetric secular instabilities we calculate the upper and lower bounds for the parameters of neutron stars. Our theoretical calculations have been compared and contrasted with the observational constraints and as a result we show that the observational constraints favor stiff equations of state.

The Mass and Radius of the Neutron Star in Exo 1745–248

The Astrophysical Journal, 2009

Bursting X-ray binaries in globular clusters are ideal sources for measuring neutron star masses and radii, and hence, for determining the equation of state of cold, ultradense matter. We use time-resolved spectroscopic data from EXO 1745−248 during thermonuclear bursts that show strong evidence for photospheric radius expansion to measure the Eddington flux and the apparent surface area of the neutron star. We combine this with the recent measurement of the distance to the globular cluster Terzan 5, where this source resides, to measure the neutron star mass and radius. We find tightly constrained pairs of values for the mass and radius, which are centered around M = 1.4 M ⊙ and R = 11 km or around M = 1.7 M ⊙ and R = 9 km. These values favor nucleonic equations of state with symmetry energy that is relatively low and has a weak dependence on density.

The Distance, Mass, and Radius of the Neutron Star in 4U 1608–52

The Astrophysical Journal, 2010

Low mass X-ray binaries (LMXBs) that show thermonuclear bursts are ideal sources for constraining the equation of state of neutron star matter. The lack of independent distance measurements for most of these sources, however, prevents a systematic exploration of the masses and radii of the neutron stars, hence limiting the equation-of-state studies. We present here a measurement of the distance to the LMXB 4U 1608−52 that is based on the study of the interstellar extinction towards the source. We first model the individual absorption edges of the elements Ne and Mg in the high-resolution X-ray spectrum obtained with XMM-Newton. We then combine this information with a measurement of the run of reddening with distance using red clump stars and determine a minimum distance to the source of 3.9 kpc, with a most probable value of 5.8 kpc. Finally, we analyze time-resolved X-ray spectra of Type-I X-ray bursts observed from this source to measure the mass and the radius of the neutron star. We find a mass of M= 1.74 ± 0.14 M ⊙ and a radius of R= 9.3 ± 1.0 km, respectively. This mass and radius can be achieved by several multi-nucleon equations of state.

Neutron Stars : A Comparative Study

arXiv: General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology, 2015

The inner structure of neutron star is considered from theoretical point of view and is compared with the observed data. We have proposed a form of an equation of state relating pressure with matter density which indicates the stiff equation of state of neutron stars. From our study we have calculated mass(M), compactness(u) and surface red-shift(Zs ) for the neutron stars namely PSR J1614-2230, PSR J1903+327, Cen X-3, SMC X-1, Vela X-1, Her X-1 and compared with the recent observational data. We have also indicated the possible radii of the different stars which needs further study. Finally we have examined the stability for such type of theoretical structure.

The Mass and the Radius of the Neutron Star in the Transient Low-Mass X-Ray Binary Sax J1748.9–2021

The Astrophysical Journal, 2013

We use time resolved spectroscopy of thermonuclear X-ray bursts observed from SAX J1748.9−2021 to infer the mass and the radius of the neutron star in the binary. Four X-ray bursts observed from the source with RXTE enable us to measure the angular size and the Eddington limit on the neutron star surface. Combined with a distance measurement to the globular cluster NGC 6440, in which SAX J1748.9−2021 resides, we obtain two solutions for the neutron star radius and mass, R = 8.18 ± 1.62 km and M = 1.78 ± 0.3 M ⊙ or R = 10.93 ± 2.09 km and M = 1.33 ± 0.33 M ⊙ .

XMM-Newton observations of the isolated neutron star RX?J0806.4-4123

Astronomy and Astrophysics, 2002

The isolated neutron star RX J0806.4-4123 was observed with XMM-Newton in November 2000. The data from the three EPIC instruments allowed us (i) to derive an improved X-ray position to an accuracy of 2-3 , (ii) to accumulate the first medium-resolution soft X-ray spectra of high statistical quality and (iii) to find a candidate for the neutron star rotation period. Although this period of 11.3714 s is formally detected at a 3.5σ level in the EPIC-pn data, the similar pulse profiles deduced from all three EPIC instruments increase the confidence that the period is real. The pulsed fraction of ∼6% would then be the weakest X-ray flux modulation detected from dim isolated neutron stars. We fitted the X-ray spectra with blackbody and neutron star atmosphere models and discuss the results with respect to the brightness limit placed by optical images. The reduced size of the error circle on the X-ray position should allow deeper searches for an optical counterpart.