Looking for extra dimensions in compact stars

Abstract

The properties of spherically symmetric static compact stars are studied in the Randall-Sundrum II type braneworld model assuming that the spacetime outside the star is described by a Schwarzschild metric. The integration of the stellar structure equations employing the so called causal limit equation of state (EoS) shows that the equilibrium solutions can violate the general relativistic causal limit. An analysis of the properties of hadronic and strange quark stars using standard EoSs confirm the same result: there is a branch in the mass-radius diagram that shows the typical behaviour found within the frame of General Relativity and another branch of stars that are supported against collapse by the nonlocal effects of the bulk on the brane. Stars belonging to the new branch can violate the general relativistic causal limit, may have an arbitrarily large mass, and are stable under small radial perturbations. If they exist in Nature, these objects could be hidden among the population of black hole candidates. The future observation of compact stars with masses and radii falling above the causal limit of General Relativity but below the Schwarzschild limit maybe a promising astrophysical evidence for the existence of extra dimensions.