Maximum Mass Of Neutron Stars Research Articles

On the Maximum Mass of Neutron Stars and GW190814

Abstract Motivated by the recent discovery of a compact object with mass in the range 2.5–2.67 M ⊙ in the binary merger GW190814, we revisit the question of the maximum mass of neutron stars (NSs). We use a Markov Chain Monte Carlo approach to generate about two million phenomenological equations of state with and without first-order phase transitions. We fix the crust equation of state and only assume causality at higher densities. We show how a strict upper bound on the maximum NS mass can be inferred from upcoming observation of NS radii and masses. The derived upper bounds depend only on relativity and causality, so it is not affected by nuclear physics uncertainties. We show how a lower limit on the maximum mass of NSs, in combination with upcoming measurements of NS radii by LIGO/Virgo and NICER, would constrain the equation of state of dense matter. Finally, we discuss the implications for GW190814.

On the Nature of GW190814 and Its Impact on the Understanding of Supranuclear Matter

Abstract The observation of a compact object with a mass of 2.50–2.67M ⊙ on 2019 August 14, by the LIGO Scientific and Virgo collaborations (LVC) has the potential to improve our understanding of the supranuclear equation of state. While the gravitational-wave analysis of the LVC suggests that GW190814 likely was a binary black hole system, the secondary component could also have been the heaviest neutron star observed to date. We use our previously derived nuclear-physics-multimessenger astrophysics framework to address the nature of this object. Based on our findings, we determine GW190814 to be a binary black hole merger with a probability of >99.9%. Even if we weaken previously employed constraints on the maximum mass of neutron stars, the probability of a binary black hole origin is still ∼81%. Furthermore, we study the impact that this observation has on our understanding of the nuclear equation of state by analyzing the allowed region in the mass–radius diagram of neutron stars for both a binary black hole or neutron star–black hole scenario. We find that the unlikely scenario in which the secondary object was a neutron star requires rather stiff equations of state with a maximum speed of sound times the speed of light, while the binary black hole scenario does not offer any new insight.

Insights into the pion production mechanism and the symmetry energy at high density

The $N\Delta\to NN$ cross sections, which take into account the $\Delta$-mass dependence of M-matrix and momentum $p_{N\Delta}$, are applied on the calculation of pion production within the framework of the UrQMD model. Our study shows that UrQMD calculations with the $\Delta$-mass dependent $N\Delta\to NN$ cross sections enhance the pion multiplicities and decrease the $\pi^-/\pi^+$ ratios. By analyzing the time evolution of the pion production rate and the density in the overlapped region for Au+Au at the beam energy of 0.4A GeV, we find that the pion multiplicity probes the symmetry energy in the region of 1-2 times normal density. The process of pion production in the reaction is tracked including the loops of $NN\leftrightarrow N\Delta$ and $\Delta\leftrightarrow N\pi$, our calculations show that the sensitivity of $\pi^-/\pi^+$ to symmetry energy is weakened after 4-5 N-$\Delta$-$\pi$ loops in the pion production path, while the $\pi^{-}/\pi^{+}$ ratio in reactions at near threshold energies remains its sensitivity to the symmetry energy. By comparing the calculations to the FOPI data, we obtain a model dependent conclusion on the symmetry energy and the symmetry energy at two times normal density is $S(2\rho_0)$=38-73 MeV within $1\sigma$ uncertainties. Under the constraints of tidal deformability and maximum mass of neutron star, the symmetry energy at two times normal density is reduced to $48-58$ MeV and slope of symmetry energy $L=54-81$ MeV, and it is consistent with the constraints from ASY-EOS flow data.

Probing the Nuclear Equation of State from the Existence of a ∼2.6 M⊙ Neutron Star: The GW190814 Puzzle

On 14 August 2019, the LIGO/Virgo collaboration observed a compact object with mass ∼2.59−0.09+0.08M⊙, as a component of a system where the main companion was a black hole with mass ∼23M⊙. A scientific debate initiated concerning the identification of the low mass component, as it falls into the neutron star–black hole mass gap. The understanding of the nature of GW190814 event will offer rich information concerning open issues, the speed of sound and the possible phase transition into other degrees of freedom. In the present work, we made an effort to probe the nuclear equation of state along with the GW190814 event. Firstly, we examine possible constraints on the nuclear equation of state inferred from the consideration that the low mass companion is a slow or rapidly rotating neutron star. In this case, the role of the upper bounds on the speed of sound is revealed, in connection with the dense nuclear matter properties. Secondly, we systematically study the tidal deformability of a possible high mass candidate existing as an individual star or as a component one in a binary neutron star system. As the tidal deformability and radius are quantities very sensitive on the neutron star equation of state, they are excellent counters on dense matter properties. We conjecture that similar isolated neutron stars or systems may exist in the universe and their possible future observation will shed light on the maximum neutron star mass problem.

Effects of strong magnetic field on moment of inertia and surface gravitational redshift in neutron star

Research on the properties of neutron stars with strong magnetic fields is of great significance in constraining the equation of state and revealing the real distribution of magnetic fields in neutron stars. The main macroscopic properties of the traditional neutron star matter under <i>β</i> equilibrium condition are studied within the relativistic mean field theory through using the GL91 parameter set by considering the strong magnetic field. It is found that the onset of the strong magnetic field leads to the stiffened equation of state of the traditional neutron star matter. The maximum mass of the traditional neutron star grows from 2.111 M<sub>⊙</sub> to 3.081 M<sub>⊙</sub>, the radius of the fixed mass traditional neutron star grows larger with the increase of internal magnetic field, which makes traditional neutron star become less dense. The strong magnetic field can also reduce the surface gravitational redshift and strengthen the moment of inertia of the traditional neutron star matter. In addition, the theoretical ranges of the surface gravitational redshift and the moment of inertia for the four massive PSRs J1614-2230, J0348+0432, J0740+6620 and J2215-5135, and the 2.50 M<sub>⊙</sub> − 2.67 M<sub>⊙</sub> compact object in the binary merger event GW190814 are also given. The results show that the ranges of the surface redshift become narrower, while the scopes of the moment of inertia widen as the magnetizing field increases in the five stars.

Constraints on the speed of sound of dense nuclear matter through the tidal deformability of neutron stars

One of the greatest interest and open problems in nuclear physics is the upper limit of the speed of sound in dense nuclear matter. Neutron stars, both in isolated and binary system cases, constitute a very promising natural laboratory for studying this kind of problem. This present work is based on one of our recent study, regarding the speed of sound and possible constraints that we can obtain from neutron stars. To be more specific, in the core of our study lies the examination of the speed of sound through the measured tidal deformability of a binary neutron star system (during the inspiral phase). The relation between the maximum neutron star mass scenario and the possible upper bound on the speed of sound is investigated. The approach that we used follows the contradiction between the recent observations of binary neutron star systems, in which the effective tidal deformability favors softer equations of state, while the high measured masses of isolated neutron stars favor stiffer equations of state. In our approach, we parametrized the stiffness of the equation of state by using the speed of sound. Moreover, we used the two recent observations of binary neutron star mergers from LIGO/VIRGO, so that we can impose robust constraints on the speed of sound. Furthermore, we postulate the kind of future measurements that could be helpful by imposing more stringent constraints on the equation of state.

Impacts of dark matter on the curvature of the neutron star

The effects of dark matter (DM) on the curvatures of the neutron star (NS) are examined by using the stiff and soft relativistic mean-field equation of states. The curvatures of the NSs are calculated with the variation of baryon density. It is found that the radial variation of different curvatures significantly affected by DM inside the star. The surface curvature is found to be more remarkable for the massive star. The effects of DM on the compactness of the maximum NS mass is less as compared to canonical star. The binding energy of the NS goes towards positive with the increase of DM momentum and makes the system unstable.

GW190814: Impact of a 2.6 solar mass neutron star on the nucleonic equations of state

Is the secondary component of GW190814 the lightest black hole or the heaviest neutron star ever discovered in a double compact-object system [R. Abbott et al., ApJ Lett., 896, L44 (2020)]? This is the central question animating this letter. Covariant density functional theory provides a unique framework to investigate both the properties of finite nuclei and neutron stars, while enforcing causality at all densities. By tuning existing energy density functionals we were able to: (a) account for a 2.6 Msun neutron star, (b) satisfy the original constraint on the tidal deformability of a 1.4 Msun neutron star, and (c) reproduce ground-state properties of finite nuclei. Yet, for the class of models explored in this work, we find that the stiffening of the equation of state required to support super-massive neutron stars is inconsistent with either constraints obtained from energetic heavy-ion collisions or from the low deformability of medium-mass stars. Thus, we speculate that the maximum neutron star mass can not be significantly higher than the existing observational limit and that the 2.6 Msun compact object is likely to be the lightest black hole ever discovered.

Dense matter equation of state of a massive neutron star with antikaon condensation

Recent measurements of neutron star mass from several candidates (PSR J$1614-2230$, PSR J$0348+0432$, MSP J$0740+6620$) set the lower bound on the maximum possible mass for this class of compact objects $\sim 2$ M$_\odot$. Existence of stars with high mass brings the possibility of existence of exotic matter (hyperons, meson condensates) at the core region of the objects. In this work, we investigate the (anti)kaon ($K^-, \bar{K}^0$) condensation in $\beta-$equilibrated nuclear matter within the framework of covariant density functional theory. The functionals in the kaonic sector are constrained by the experimental studies on $K^-$ atomic, kaon-nucleon scattering data fits. We find that the equation of state softens with the inclusion of (anti)kaon condensates, which lowers the maximum mass of neutron star. In one of the density-independent coupling cases, the $K^-$ condensation is through a first-order phase transition type, which produces a $2$ M$_\odot$ neutron star. The first-order phase transition results in mixed phase region in the inner core of the stars. While $\bar{K}^0$ condensation appears via second-order phase transition for all the models we consider here.

Strong Post-merger Gravitational Radiation of GW170817-like Events

Abstract The post-merger gravitational-wave (GW) radiation of the remnant formed in the binary neutron star (BNS) coalescence has not been directly measured yet. We show in this work that the properties of the BNS involved in GW170817, additionally constrained by PSR J0030+0451, the lower limit on the maximum gravitational mass of nonrotating neutron star (NS), and some nuclear data, are in favor of strong post-merger GW radiation. This conclusion applies to the mergers of Galactic BNS systems as well. Significant post-merger GW radiation is also preferred to improve the consistency between the maximum gravitational mass of the nonrotating NS inferred from GW170817/GRB170817A/AT2017gfo and the latest mass measurements of pulsars. The prominent post-merger gravitational radiation of GW170817-like events are expected to be detectable by advanced LIGO/Virgo detectors in the next decade and then shed valuable light on the properties of the matter in the extremely high density.

Speed of sound constraints from tidal deformability of neutron stars

The upper bound of the speed of sound in dense nuclear matter is one of the most interesting but still unsolved problems in Nuclear Physics. Theoretical studies in connection with recent observational data of isolated neutron stars as well as binary neutron stars systems offer an excellent opportunity to shed light on this problem. In the present work, we suggest a method to directly relate the measured tidal deformability (polarizability) of binary neutron stars system (before merger) to the maximum neutron star mass scenario and possible upper bound on the speed of sound. This method is based on the simple but efficient idea that while the upper limit of the effective tidal deformability favors soft equations of state, the recent high measured values of neutron star mass favor stiff ones. In the present work, firstly, using a simple well established model we parametrize the stiffness of the equation of state with the help of the speed of sound. Secondly, in comparison with the recent observations by LIGO/VIRGO collaboration of two events, GW170817 and GW190425, we suggest possible robust constraints. Moreover, we evaluate and postulate, in the framework of the present method, what kind of future measurements could help us to improve the stringent of the constraints on the neutron star equation of state.

Discriminating between Neutron Stars and Black Holes with Imperfect Knowledge of the Maximum Neutron Star Mass

Abstract Although gravitational-wave signals from exceptional low-mass compact binary coalescences, like GW170817, may carry matter signatures that differentiate the source from a binary black hole system, only one out of every eight events detected by the current Advanced LIGO and Virgo observatories are likely to have signal-to-noise ratios large enough to measure matter effects, even if they are present. Nonetheless, the systems’ component masses will generally be constrained precisely. Constructing an explicit mixture model for the total rate density of merging compact objects, we develop a hierarchical Bayesian analysis to classify gravitational-wave sources according to the posterior odds that their component masses are drawn from different subpopulations. Accounting for current uncertainty in the maximum neutron star mass and adopting a power-law mass distribution with or without a mass gap and either random or mass-ratio-dependent pairing, we examine two recent events from the LIGO–Virgo Collaboration’s third observing run, GW190425 and GW190814. For population models with no overlap between the neutron star and black hole mass distributions, we typically find that there is a chance, depending on the exact population model, that GW190425 was a binary neutron star merger rather than a neutron-star–black-hole merger. On the other hand, we find that there is a chance that GW190814 involved a slowly spinning neutron star, regardless of our assumed population model.

Equation of State of Strongly Magnetized Matter with Hyperons and Δ-Resonances

We construct a new equation of state for the baryonic matter under an intense magnetic field within the framework of covariant density functional theory. The composition of matter includes hyperons as well as Δ-resonances. The extension of the nucleonic functional to the hypernuclear sector is constrained by the experimental data on Λ and Ξ-hypernuclei. We find that the equation of state stiffens with the inclusion of the magnetic field, which increases the maximum mass of neutron star compared to the non-magnetic case. In addition, the strangeness fraction in the matter is enhanced. Several observables, like the Dirac effective mass, particle abundances, etc. show typical oscillatory behavior as a function of the magnetic field and/or density which is traced back to the occupation pattern of Landau levels.

What if the neutron star maximum mass is beyond ∼2.3 M⊙?

ABSTRACT By assuming the formation of a black hole soon after the merger event of GW170817, the maximum mass of non-rotating stable neutron star, MTOV ≃ 2.3 M⊙, is proposed by numerical relativity, but there is no solid evidence to rule out MTOV > 2.3 M⊙ from the point of both microphysical and astrophysical views. It is naturally expected that the equation of state (EOS) would become stiffer beyond a specific density to explain massive pulsars. We consider the possibility of EOSs with MTOV > 2.3 M⊙, investigating the stiffness and the transition density in a polytropic model, for two kinds of neutron stars (i.e. gravity-bound and strong-bound stars on surface). Only two parameters are input in both cases: (ρt, γ) for gravity-bound neutron stars, while (ρs, γ) for strong-bound strange stars, with ρt the transition density, ρs the surface density, and γ the polytropic exponent. In the matter of MTOV > 2.3 M⊙ for the maximum mass and 70 ≤ Λ1.4 ≤ 580 for the tidal deformability, it is found that the smallest ρt and γ should be ∼0.50 ρ0 and ∼2.65 for neutron stars, respectively, whereas for strange star, we have γ > 1.40 if ρs > 1.0 ρ0 (ρ0 is the nuclear saturation density). These parametric results could guide further research of the real EOS with any foundation of microphysics if a pulsar mass higher than 2.3 M⊙ is measured in the future, especially for an essential comparison of allowed parameter space between gravity-bound and strong-bound compact stars.

A Late-time Radio Survey of Short Gamma-ray Bursts at z < 0.5: New Constraints on the Remnants of Neutron-star Mergers

Abstract Massive, rapidly spinning magnetar remnants produced as a result of binary neutron-star (BNS) mergers may deposit a fraction of their energy into the surrounding kilonova ejecta, powering a synchrotron radio signal from the interaction of the ejecta with the circumburst medium. Here, we present 6.0 GHz Very Large Array (VLA) observations of nine, low-redshift short gamma-ray bursts (GRBs; z < 0.5) on rest-frame timescales of ≈2.4–13.9 yr following the bursts. We place 3σ limits on radio continuum emission of F ν ≲ 6–20 μJy at the burst positions, or L ν ≲ (0.6–8.3) × 1028 erg s−1 Hz−1. Comparing these limits with new light-curve modeling that properly incorporates relativistic effects, we obtain limits on the energy deposited into the ejecta of E ej ≲ (0.6–6.7) × 1052 erg ( erg) for an ejecta mass of 0.03 M ⊙ (0.1 M ⊙). We present a uniform reanalysis of 27 short GRBs with 5.5–6.0 GHz observations, and find that ≳50% of short GRBs did not form stable magnetar remnants in their mergers. Assuming short GRBs are produced by BNS mergers drawn from the Galactic BNS population plus an additional component of high-mass GW194025-like mergers in a fraction f GW190425 of cases, we place constraints on the maximum mass of a nonrotating neutron star (NS; Tolman–Oppenheimer–Volkoff mass; M TOV), finding for f GW190425 = 0.4; this limit increases for larger values of f GW190425. The detection (or lack thereof) of radio remnants in untargeted surveys such as the VLA Sky Survey (VLASS) could provide more stringent constraints on the fraction of mergers that produce stable remnants. If radio remnants are discovered in VLASS, this suggests that short GRBs are a biased population of BNS mergers in terms of the stability of the remnants they produce.

Inferring the maximum and minimum mass of merging neutron stars with gravitational waves

We show that the maximum and the minimum mass of merging neutron stars can be estimated with upcoming gravitational wave observations. We simulate populations of binary neutron star signals and model their mass distribution including upper and lower cutoffs. The lower(upper) limit can be measured to $\sim 0.2(0.1)\text{M}_{\odot}$ with $50$ detections if the mass distribution supports neutron stars with masses close to the cutoffs. The upper mass limit informs about the high density properties of the neutron star equation of state, while the lower limit signals the divide between neutron stars and white dwarfs.

Maximum mass cutoff in the neutron star mass distribution and the prospect of forming supramassive objects in the double neutron star mergers

The sample of neutron stars with a measured mass is growing quickly. With the latest sample, we adopt both a flexible Gaussian mixture model and a Gaussian plus Cauchy-Lorentz component model to infer the mass distribution of neutron stars and use the Bayesian model selection to explore evidence for multimodality and a sharp cutoff in the mass distribution. The two models yield rather similar results. Consistent with previous studies, we find evidence for a bimodal distribution together with a cutoff at a mass of $M_{\rm max}=2.26_{-0.05}^{+0.12}M_\odot$ (68% credible interval; for the Gaussian mixture model). If such a cutoff is interpreted as the maximum gravitational mass of nonrotating cold neutron stars, the prospect of forming supramassive remnants is found to be quite promising for the double neutron star mergers with a total gravitational mass less than or equal to 2.7$M_\odot$ unless the thermal pions could substantially soften the equation of state for the very hot neutron star matter. These supramassive remnants have a typical kinetic rotational energy of approximately $1-2\times 10^{53}$ ergs. Together with a high neutron star merger rate approximately $10^{3}~{\rm Gpc^{-3}~yr^{-3}}$, the neutron star mergers are expected to be significant sources of EeV($10^{18}$eV) cosmic-ray protons.

Equilibrium, radial stability and non-adiabatic gravitational collapse of anisotropic neutron stars

In this work we construct families of anisotropic neutron stars for an equation of state compatible with the constraints of the gravitational-wave event GW170817 and for four anisotropy ansatze. Such stars are subjected to a radial perturbation in order to study their stability against radial oscillations and we develop a dynamical model to describe the non-adiabatic gravitational collapse of the unstable anisotropic configurations whose ultimate fate is the formation of a black hole. We find that the standard criterion for radial stability dM/drho _c >0 is not always compatible with the calculation of the oscillation frequencies for some anisotropy ansatze, and each anisotropy parameter is constrained taking into account the recent restriction of maximum mass of neutron stars. We further generalize the TOV equations within a non-adiabatic context and we investigate the dynamical behaviour of the equation of state, heat flux, anisotropy factor and mass function as an unstable anisotropic star collapses. After obtaining the evolution equations we recover, as a static limit, the background equations.

Multimessenger and multiphysics Bayesian inference for the GW170817 binary neutron star merger

The tidal deformability probability distribution extracted from GW170817 alone, or including multi-messenger information, is confronted to astrophysical and nuclear physics additional constraints within a semi-agnostic approach for the dense matter equation of state. We use Bayesian statistics to combine together low density nuclear physics data, such as the ab-initio predictions based on $\chi$EFT interactions or the isoscalar giant monopole resonance, and astrophysical constraints from neutron stars, such as the maximum mass of neutron stars or the probability density function of the tidal deformability $\tilde{\Lambda}$ obtained from the GW170817 event. The posteriors probability distribution functions are marginalized over several nuclear empirical parameters ($L_\textrm{sym}$, $K_\textrm{sym}$, $Q_\textrm{sat}$ and $Q_\textrm{sym}$), as well as over observational quantities such as the $1.4M_\odot$ radius $R_{1.4}$ and the pressure at twice the saturation density $P(2n_\textrm{sat})$. The correlations between $L_\textrm{sym}$ and $K_\textrm{sym}$ and between $K_\textrm{sat}$ and $Q_\textrm{sat}$ are also further analyzed. Tension is found between the posteriors: the first one is localized in the tidal deformability probability distribution itself, depending whether multi-messenger analysis is included or not, and the second one is between the observational data and the nuclear physics inputs. These tensions impact the predictions for $L_\textrm{sym}$, $K_\textrm{sym}$ and $R_{1.4}$ with centroids which differ by 2-3$\sigma$. Implications for the nuclear equation of state are also discussed.

Astrophysical implications of neutron star inspiral and coalescence

The first inspiral of two neutron stars observed in gravitational waves was remarkably close, allowing the kind of simultaneous gravitational wave and electromagnetic observation that had not been expected for several years. Their merger, followed by a gamma-ray burst and a kilonova, was observed across the spectral bands of electromagnetic telescopes. These GW and electromagnetic observations have led to dramatic advances in understanding short gamma-ray bursts; determining the origin of the heaviest elements; and determining the maximum mass of neutron stars. From the imprint of tides on the gravitational waveforms and from observations of X-ray binaries, one can extract the radius and deformability of inspiraling neutron stars. Together, the radius, maximum mass, and causality constrain the neutron-star equation of state, and future constraints can come from observations of post-merger oscillations. We selectively review these results, filling in some of the physics with derivations and estimates.