Pulsar Mass Research Articles

Neutron stars with crossover to color superconducting quark matter

We follow the idea that the QCD phase diagram may be described by a crossover from a hadron resonance gas to perturbative QCD using the switch function ansatz of Albright, Kapusta and Young [1]. While the switch function could be calibrated at vanishing baryon chemical potential with data from lattice QCD simulations, it has been suggested recently by Kapusta and Welle [2] that in the zero temperature limit, the switch function parameter $\mu_0$ could be constrained by neutron star phenomenology, in particular by massive pulsars like PSR J0740+6620 with a mass exceeding $2~M_\odot$. In this work we demonstrate that this procedure to constrain the QCD phase diagram does crucially depend on the fact that cold dense quark matter is very likely in a color superconducting state.

Anisotropic stars of class one space–time in [formula omitted] gravity under the simplest linear functional of the matter–geometry coupling

In the present paper, we have explored the existence of compact structures describing anisotropic matter distributions within the framework of f(R,T) theory, where R is Ricci scalar and T is a trace of energy–momentum tensor. We have chosen f(R,T) as a linear function of R and T, i.e., f(R,T)=R+2χT with χ as matter–geometry coupling constant. We employed the embedding class one technique in order to obtain a full space–time description inside the stellar configuration. After specifying space–time geometry, we determined the complete solution of modified field equations by using the MIT-Bag model equation of state, i.e., pr=13(ρ−4Bg) that describes the strange quark matter distribution inside the stellar system, where Bg represents a bag constant. We checked the physical viability of the solution through different physical tests. Moreover, using observed mass values for the various strange star candidates, we have predicted the exact radii by taking distinct values for χ and Bg. Accordingly, we thoroughly show that with decreasing the value of χ, the stellar systems under examinations become progressively massive and larger in size, transforming them into less dense compact objects. It additionally uncovers that for χ<0 the fR,T gravity arises as an adequate theory for explaining the magnetars, super-Chandrasekhar stars and massive pulsars, which are assumed to be the reason behind the overluminous SNeIa e.g. SN 2003fg, SN 2006gz, SN 2007if, SN 2009dc and remain mostly unexplained in the background of general relativity.

Explodability fluctuations of massive stellar cores enable asymmetric compact object mergers such as GW190814

The first three observing runs with Advanced LIGO and Virgo have resulted in the detection of binary black hole (BBH) mergers with highly unequal mass components, which are difficult to reconcile with standard formation paradigms. The most representative of these is GW190814, a highly asymmetric merger between a 23 M⊙ black hole (BH) and a 2.6 M⊙ compact object. Here, we explore recent results, suggesting that a sizable fraction of stars with pre-collapse carbon-oxygen core masses above 10 M⊙, and extending up to at least 30 M⊙, may produce objects inside the so-called lower mass gap that bridges the division between massive pulsars and BHs in Galactic X-ray binaries. We demonstrate that such an explosion landscape would naturally cause a fraction of massive binaries to produce GW190814-like systems instead of symmetric-mass BBHs. We present examples of specific evolutionary channels leading to the formation of GW190814 and GW200210, a 24 + 2.8 M⊙ merger discovered during the O3b observing run. We estimate the merger-rate density of these events in our scenario to be 𝒪(5%) of the total BBH merger rate. Finally, we discuss the broader implications of this formation channel for compact object populations, and its possible relevance to less asymmetric merger events such as GW200105 and GW200115.

Estimating Microscopic Nuclear Data by Compact Star Observations

We studied recent observation data of pulsar masses and radii of PSR J0740+6620, PSR J0348+0432, and PSR J1614–2230 from different measurements, based on the extended version of σ-ω model. Throughout our analysis, we assumed that these pulsars are maximal-mass compact stars, thus we applied the core approximation. Based on the linear relation between the microscopic and macroscopic parameters of compact stars evaluated by our model, we estimated the average Landau mass mL = 752.46- 42.5+ 49.1 MeV and compressibility K = 261.7- 28.0+ 57.2 MeV.

Detailed examination of astrophysical constraints on the symmetry energy and the neutron skin of Pb208 with minimal modeling assumptions

The symmetry energy and its density dependence are pivotal for many nuclear physics and astrophysics applications, as they determine properties ranging from the neutron-skin thickness of nuclei to the crust thickness and the radius of neutron stars. Recently, PREX-II reported a value of $0.283\pm0.071$ fm for the neutron-skin thickness of $^{208}$Pb, $R_{\rm skin}^{^{208}\text{Pb}}$, implying a symmetry-energy slope parameter $L$ of $106\pm37$ MeV, larger than most ranges obtained from microscopic calculations and other nuclear experiments. We use a nonparametric equation of state representation based on Gaussian processes to constrain the symmetry energy $S_0$, $L$, and $R_{\rm skin}^{^{208}\text{Pb}}$ directly from observations of neutron stars with minimal modeling assumptions. The resulting astrophysical constraints from heavy pulsar masses, LIGO/Virgo, and NICER favor smaller values of the neutron skin and $L$, as well as negative symmetry incompressibilities. Combining astrophysical data with chiral effective field theory ($\chi$EFT) and PREX-II constraints yields $S_0 = 33.0^{+2.0}_{-1.8}$ MeV, $L=53^{+14}_{-15}$ MeV, and $R_{\rm skin}^{^{208}\text{Pb}} = 0.17^{+0.04}_{-0.04}$ fm. We also examine the consistency of several individual $\chi$EFT calculations with astrophysical observations and terrestrial experiments. We find that there is only mild tension between $\chi$EFT, astrophysical data, and PREX-II's $R_\mathrm{skin}^{^{208}\mathrm{Pb}}$ measurement ($p$-value $= 12.3\%$) and that there is excellent agreement between $\chi$EFT, astrophysical data, and other nuclear experiments.

Astrophysical Constraints on the Symmetry Energy and the Neutron Skin of ^{208}Pb with Minimal Modeling Assumptions.

The symmetry energy and its density dependence are crucial inputs for many nuclear physics and astrophysics applications, as they determine properties ranging from the neutron-skin thickness of nuclei to the crust thickness and the radius of neutron stars. Recently, PREX-II reported a value of 0.283±0.071 fm for the neutron-skin thickness of ^{208}Pb, implying a slope parameter L=106±37 MeV, larger than most ranges obtained from microscopic calculations and other nuclear experiments. We use a nonparametric equation of state representation based on Gaussian processes to constrain the symmetry energy S_{0}, L, and R_{skin}^{^{208}Pb} directly from observations of neutron stars with minimal modeling assumptions. The resulting astrophysical constraints from heavy pulsar masses, LIGO/Virgo, and NICER clearly favor smaller values of the neutron skin and L, as well as negative symmetry incompressibilities. Combining astrophysical data with PREX-II and chiral effective field theory constraints yields S_{0}=33.0_{-1.8}^{+2.0} MeV, L=53_{-15}^{+14} MeV, and R_{skin}^{^{208}Pb}=0.17_{-0.04}^{+0.04} fm.

Neutron stars in f(mathtt {R,L_m}) gravity with realistic equations of state: joint-constrains with GW170817, massive pulsars, and the PSR J0030+0451 mass-radius from NICER data

In this work, we investigate neutron stars (NS) in f(mathtt {R,L_m}) theory of gravity for the case f(mathtt {R,L_m})= mathtt {R}+ mathtt {L_m}+ sigma mathtt {R}mathtt {L_m}, where mathtt {R} is the Ricci scalar and mathtt {L_m} the Lagrangian matter density. In the term sigma mathtt {R}mathtt {L_m}, sigma represents the coupling between the gravitational and particles fields. For the first time the hydrostatic equilibrium equations in the theory are solved considering realistic equations of state and NS masses and radii obtained are subject to joint constrains from massive pulsars, the gravitational wave event GW170817 and from the PSR J0030+0451 mass-radius from NASA’s Neutron Star Interior Composition Explorer (NICER) data. We show that in this theory of gravity, the mass-radius results can accommodate massive pulsars, while the general theory of relativity can hardly do it. The theory also can explain the observed NS within the radius region constrained by the GW170817 and PSR J0030+0451 observations for masses around 1.4~M_{odot }.

Hybrid Stars with Color Superconducting Cores in an Extended FCM Model

We investigate the influence of repulsive vector interactions and color superconductivity on the structure of neutron stars using an extended version of the field correlator method (FCM) for the description of quark matter. The hybrid equation of state is constructed using the Maxwell description, which assumes a sharp hadron-quark phase transition. The equation of state of hadronic matter is computed for a density-dependent relativistic lagrangian treated in the mean-field approximation, with parameters given by the SW4L nuclear model. This model described the interactions among baryons in terms of σ, ω, ρ, σ*, and ϕ mesons. Quark matter is assumed to be in either the CFL or the 2SC+s color superconducting phase. The possibility of sequential (hadron-quark, quark-quark) transitions in ultra-dense matter is investigated. Observed data related to massive pulsars, gravitational-wave events, and NICER are used to constrain the parameters of the extended FCM model. The successful equations of state are used to explore the mass-radius relationship, radii, and tidal deformabilities of hybrid stars. A special focus lies on investigating consequences that slow or fast conversions of quark-hadron matter have on the stability and the mass-radius relationship of hybrid stars. We find that if slow conversion should occur, a new branch of stable massive stars would exist whose members have radii that are up to 1.5 km smaller than those of conventional neutron stars of the same mass. Such objects could be possible candidates for the stellar high-mass object of the GW190425 binary system.

Resolving dichotomy in compact objects through continuous gravitational waves observation

ABSTRACT More than two dozen soft gamma-ray repeaters (SGRs) and anomalous X-ray pulsars (AXPs) have been detected so far. These are isolated compact objects. Many of them are either found to be associated with supernova remnants or their surface magnetic fields are directly measured, confirming that they are neutron stars (NSs). However, it has been argued that some SGRs and AXPs are highly magnetized white dwarfs (WDs). Meanwhile, the existence of super-Chandrasekhar WDs has remained to be a puzzle. However, not even a single such massive WD has been observed directly. Moreover, some WD pulsars are detected in electromagnetic surveys and some of their masses are still not confirmed. Here, we calculate the signal-to-noise ratio for all these objects, considering different magnetic field configurations and thereby estimate the required time for their detection by various gravitational wave (GW) detectors. For SGRs and AXPs, we show that, if these are NSs, they can hardly be detected by any of the GW detectors, while if they are WDs, big bang Observer (BBO), DECi-hertz Interferometer Gravitational wave Observatory (DECIGO) and Advanced Laser Interferometer Antenna (ALIA) would be able to detect them within a few days to a year of integration, depending on the magnetic field strength and its configuration. Similarly, if a super-Chandrasekhar WD has a dominant toroidal field, we show that even Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) and TianQin would be able to detect it within one year of integration. We also discuss how GWs can confirm the masses of the WD pulsars.

Feeble DM-SM interaction via new scalar and vector mediators in rotating neutron stars

We investigate the possible presence of dark matter (DM) in massive and rotating neutron stars (NSs). For the purpose we extend our previous work [1] to introduce a light new physics vector mediator besides a scalar one in order to ensure feeble interaction between fermionic DM and β stable hadronic matter in NSs. The chosen masses of DM fermion and the mediators and the couplings are consistent with the self-interaction constraint from Bullet cluster and from present day relic abundance. Assuming that both the scalar and vector mediators contribute equally to the relic abundance, we compute the equation of state (EoS) of the DM admixed NSs to find that the present consideration of the vector new physics mediator do not bring any significant change to the EoS and static NS properties of DM admixed NSs compared to the case where only the scalar mediator was considered [1]. However, the obtained structural properties in static conditions are in good agreement with the various constraints on them from massive pulsars like PSR J0348+0432 and PSR J0740+6620, the gravitational wave (GW170817) data and the recently obtained results of NICER experiments for PSR J0030+0451 and PSR J0740+6620. We also extend our work to compute the rotational properties of DM admixed NSs rotating at different angular velocities. The present results in this regard suggest that the secondary component of GW190814 may be a rapidly rotating massive DM admixed NS. The constraints on rotational frequency from pulsars like PSR B1937+21 and PSR J1748-2446ad are also satisfied by our present results. Also, the constraints on moment of inertia are satisfied considering slow rotation. The universality relation in terms of normalized moment of inertia also holds good with our DM admixed EoS.

Study on anisotropic strange stars in Rastall gravity

The strange quark matter (SQM) whose distribution is governed by the simplified MIT bag model equation of state has been the subject of a series of investigations within the framework of Rastall’s theory. We obtain an exact solution of the modified form of the Tolman–Oppenheimer–Volkoff (TOV) equation in the Rastall gravity theory and study the dependence of different physical properties (the total mass, radius, energy density, and pressure) for the chosen values of the Rastall parameter $$\lambda_{ \scriptscriptstyle{\mathrm{Ras}} }$$ . To examine physical acceptability of the proposed stellar model, we conduct different tests in detail: the energy conditions, the the mass–radius relation, the Compactification factor, the redshift, the system stability, the modified TOV equation, the causality condition, and the adiabatic index in terms of $$\lambda_{ \scriptscriptstyle{\mathrm{Ras}} }$$ . We precisely explain the effects arising due to the Rastall parameter and geometry on the compact stellar system. We find that as the factor $$\lambda_{ \scriptscriptstyle{\mathrm{Ras}} }$$ decreases, the strange star candidates become gradually massive and larger in size with a less dense stellar configuration. But when $$\lambda_{ \scriptscriptstyle{\mathrm{Ras}} }$$ increases, the stars shrink gradually and become less massive, turning into a more compact stellar system. For $$\lambda_{ \scriptscriptstyle{\mathrm{Ras}} }>0$$ , our proposed model is therefore suitable for explaining the ultradense compact stars well within the observational limits; for $$\lambda_{ \scriptscriptstyle{\mathrm{Ras}} }<0$$ , it allows representing the recent massive pulsars and super-Chandrasekhar stars. For $$\lambda_{ \scriptscriptstyle{\mathrm{Ras}} }=1$$ , we retrieve the standard results of general relativity.

A NICER View of the Massive Pulsar PSR J0740+6620 Informed by Radio Timing and XMM-Newton Spectroscopy

Abstract We report on Bayesian estimation of the radius, mass, and hot surface regions of the massive millisecond pulsar PSR J0740+6620, conditional on pulse-profile modeling of Neutron Star Interior Composition Explorer X-ray Timing Instrument event data. We condition on informative pulsar mass, distance, and orbital inclination priors derived from the joint North American Nanohertz Observatory for Gravitational Waves and Canadian Hydrogen Intensity Mapping Experiment/Pulsar wideband radio timing measurements of Fonseca et al. We use XMM-Newton European Photon Imaging Camera spectroscopic event data to inform our X-ray likelihood function. The prior support of the pulsar radius is truncated at 16 km to ensure coverage of current dense matter models. We assume conservative priors on instrument calibration uncertainty. We constrain the equatorial radius and mass of PSR J0740+6620 to be 12.39 − 0.98 + 1.30 km and 2.072 − 0.066 + 0.067 M ⊙ respectively, each reported as the posterior credible interval bounded by the 16% and 84% quantiles, conditional on surface hot regions that are non-overlapping spherical caps of fully ionized hydrogen atmosphere with uniform effective temperature; a posteriori, the temperature is log 10 ( T [ K ] ) = 5.99 − 0.06 + 0.05 for each hot region. All software for the X-ray modeling framework is open-source and all data, model, and sample information is publicly available, including analysis notebooks and model modules in the Python language. Our marginal likelihood function of mass and equatorial radius is proportional to the marginal joint posterior density of those parameters (within the prior support) and can thus be computed from the posterior samples.

The Parkes pulsar timing array second data release: timing analysis

ABSTRACT The main goal of pulsar timing array experiments is to detect correlated signals such as nanohertz-frequency gravitational waves. Pulsar timing data collected in dense monitoring campaigns can also be used to study the stars themselves, their binary companions, and the intervening ionized interstellar medium. Timing observations are extraordinarily sensitive to changes in path-length between the pulsar and the Earth, enabling precise measurements of the pulsar positions, distances and velocities, and the shapes of their orbits. Here we present a timing analysis of 25 pulsars observed as part of the Parkes Pulsar Timing Array (PPTA) project over time spans of up to 24 yr. The data are from the second data release of the PPTA, which we have extended by including legacy data. We make the first detection of Shapiro delay in four Southern pulsars (PSRs J1017−7156, J1125−6014, J1545−4550, and J1732−5049), and of parallax in six pulsars. The prominent Shapiro delay of PSR J1125−6014 implies a neutron star mass of Mp = 1.5 ± 0.2 M⊙ (68 per cent credibility interval). Measurements of both Shapiro delay and relativistic periastron advance in PSR J1600−3053 yield a large but uncertain pulsar mass of $M_p = 2.06^{+0.44}_{-0.41}$ M⊙ (68 per cent credibility interval). We measure the distance to PSR J1909−3744 to a precision of 10 lyr, indicating that for gravitational wave periods over a decade, the pulsar provides a coherent baseline for pulsar timing array experiments.

Anisotropic quark stars in Einstein-Gauss-Bonnet theory

Recent progress in the determination of both masses and radii of neutron stars has put strong constraints on the equation of state (EoS) above the nuclear saturation density. Within a confining quark matter model, we propose an anisotropic star consisting of a homogeneous and unpaired charge-neutral 3-flavor interacting quark matter with O(ms4) corrections in the context of Einstein-Gauss-Bonnet gravity theory. This generalized model depends only on three free parameters: the bag constant B, the interaction parameter a and the Gauss-Bonnet coupling constant α. Given the underlying EoS, we show the possibility of obtaining the maximal neutron star mass which satisfies the recent observational data for PSR J0751+1807. The numerical analysis of mass-radius relations supports the existence of other massive pulsars with a maximum mass consistent and common radii in the range of R≲(11∼14) Km [1]. Furthermore, we discuss the mass vs central mass density (M−ρc) relation for stability, compactness and binding energy in this gravity theory. Our results thus provide circumstantial evidence in favor of super-massive pulsars in EGB gravity.

Tidal deformability of strange stars and the GW170817 event

In this work we consider strange stars formed by quark matter in the color-flavor-locked (CFL) phase of color superconductivity. The CFL phase is described by a Nambu-Jona-Lasinio model with four-fermion vector and diquark interaction channels. The effect of the color superconducting medium on the gluons are incorporated into the model by including the gluon self-energy in the thermodynamic potential. We construct parametrizations of the model by varying the vector coupling $G_V$ and comparing the results to the data on tidal deformability from the GW170817 event, the observational data on maximum masses from massive pulsars such as the MSP J0740+6620, and the mass/radius fits to NICER data for PSR J003+0451. Our results points out to windows for the $G_V$ parameter space of the model, with and without gluon effects included, that are compatible with all these astrophysical constraints, namely, $0.21<G_V/G_S<0.4$, and $0.02<G_V/G_S<0.1$, respectively. We also observe a strong correlation between the tidal deformabilites of the GW170817 event and $G_V$. Our results indicate that strange stars cannot be ruled out in collisions of compact binaries from the structural point of view.

Implications of feebly interacting dark sector on neutron star properties and constraints from GW170817

ABSTRACT We investigate the effect of feeble interaction of dark matter (DM) with hadronic matter on the equation of state (EoS) and structural properties of neutron stars (NSs) in static conditions. For the purpose, we adopt the effective chiral model for the hadronic sector and for the first time in the context of possible existence of DM inside NSs, we introduce the DM–SM interaction through light new physics mediator. Moreover, the mass of DM fermion, the mediator and the coupling are adopted from the self-interaction constraint from Bullet cluster and from present day relic abundance. Within the considered framework, the work highlights the underlying stiffening of EoS in the presence of DM fermion of mass of the order of a few GeV compared to the no-DM scenario. Consequently, the maximum gravitational mass of NS is obtained consistent with the bounds from the most massive pulsars that were not satisfied with the hadronic matter EoS alone. The estimates of radius and tidal deformability of 1.4-M⊙ NS and the tidal deformabilities of the individual components of the binary neutron stars (BNS) associated with GW170817 are all in good agreement with the individual constraints obtained from GW170817 observation of BNS merger.

Quark cores in extensions of the MIT bag model

Recent observations of massive pulsars having masses of the order of two solar mass pose a new challenge for compact objects such as hybrid stars and neutron stars. Extensions of the bag model and the Nambu-Jona-Lasino model have been used to model these stars to get higher mass stars. Quark matter has been predicted in the cores of these massive stars. In this work we show that an extension of the bag model, with a chemical potential dependent bag parameter can lead to an isentropic phase transition in the core of the neutron star. Our model shows that an equation of state having all three quarks u, d and s would lead to massive stars with stable quark matter. We find that the mass of the stars not only depends on the bag constant but also on the mass of the strange quark. The mass - radius ratio which determines the redshift values on the surface, indicates that it is possible to obtain stable self bound strange quark matter stars with reasonable values of the bag pressure which correspond to the recent observations of large mass stars.

Nuclear matter at finite temperature and static properties of proto-neutron star

With the effective chiral model, the finite temperature properties of nuclear matter have been studied at different temperatures. For symmetric nuclear matter, I particularly focused on the possibility of liquid–gas phase transition at low temperature and density. The critical temperature obtained in this context, is consistent with the experimental and empirical findings. The free energy and entropy variation are also studied for different values of temperature. A few asymmetric nuclear matter properties like the equation of state and the speed of sound with respect to temperature are also examined. The work is also extended to obtain the equation of state β stable nuclear matter at finite temperature. For the neutrino free case, the various static proto-neutron star properties are computed for a wide range of temperature, relevant to proto-neutron stars. For all the values of temperature, the obtained estimates of maximum gravitational mass are found to be in good agreement with the observational constraints specified from massive pulsars like PSR J0348 + 0432 and PSR J0740 + 6620. The results of surface redshift for all the temperature also satisfy the maximum surface redshift constraints from EXO 07482-676, 1E 1207.4-5209 and RX J0720.4-3125.

Neutron stars in f(ℛ,T) gravity using realistic equations of state in the light of massive pulsars and GW170817

In this work we investigate neutron stars (NS) in f(ℛ,T) gravity for the case R+2λ\U0001d4af, ℛ is the Ricci scalar and \U0001d4af the trace of the energy-momentum tensor. The hydrostatic equilibrium equations are solved considering realistic equations of state (EsoS). The NS masses and radii obtained are subject to a joint constrain from massive pulsars and the event GW170817. The parameter λ needs to be negative as in previous NS studies, however we found a minimum value for it. The value should be |λ|≲0.02 and the reason for so small value in comparison with previous ones obtained with simpler EsoS is due to the existence of the NS crust. The pressure in theory of gravity depends on the inverse of the sound velocity vs. Since, vs is low in the crust, |λ| need to be very small. We found that the increment in the star mass is less than 1%, much smaller than previous ones obtained not considering the realistic stellar structure, and the star radius cannot become larger, its changes compared to GR is less than 3.6% in all cases. The finding that using several relativistic and non-relativistic models the variation on the NS mass and radius are almost the same for all the EsoS, manifests that our results are insensitive to the high density part of the EsoS. It confirms that stellar mass and radii changes depend only on crust, where the EoS is essentially the same for all the models. The NS crust effect implying very small values of |λ| does not depend on the theory's function chosen, since for any other one the hydrostatic equilibrium equation would always have the dependence 1/vs. Finally, we highlight that our results indicate that conclusions obtained from NS studies done in modified theories of gravity without using realistic EsoS that describe correctly the NS interior can be unreliable.

PSR J1641+3627F: A Low-mass He White Dwarf Orbiting a Possible High-mass Neutron Star in the Globular Cluster M13

Abstract We report on the discovery of the companion star to the millisecond pulsar J1631+3627F in the globular cluster M13. By means of a combination of optical and near-UV high-resolution observations obtained with the Hubble Space Telescope, we identified the counterpart at the radio source position. Its location in the color–magnitude diagrams reveals that the companion star is a faint ( ) He-core white dwarf. We compared the observed companion magnitudes with those predicted by state-of-the-art binary evolution models and found out that it has a mass of , a radius of , and a surface temperature of K. Combining the companion mass with the pulsar mass function is not enough to determine the orbital inclination and the neutron star mass; however, the last two quantities become correlated: we found that either the system is observed at a low-inclination angle, or the neutron star is massive. In fact, assuming that binaries are randomly aligned with respect to the observer line of sight, there is a of probability that this system hosts a neutron star more massive than . In fact, the maximum and median mass of the neutron star, corresponding to orbital inclination angles of 90° and 60°, are and , respectively. On the other hand, also assuming an empirical neutron star mass probability distribution, we found that this system could host a neutron star with a mass of if orbiting with a low-inclination angle around 40°.