Prospects for neutron star equation of state constraints using "recycled" millisecond pulsars
Abstract
"Recycled" millisecond pulsars are a variety of rapidly spinning neutron stars that typically show thermal X-ray radiation due to the heated surface of their magnetic polar caps. Detailed numerical modeling of the rotation-induced thermal X-ray pulsations observed from recycled millisecond pulsars, including all relevant relativistic and stellar atmospheric effects, has been identified as a promising approach towards an astrophysical determination of the true neutron star mass-radius relation, and by extension the state of cold matter at densities exceeding those of atomic nuclei. Herein, I review the basic model and methodology commonly used to extract information regarding neutron star structure from the pulsed X-ray radiation observed from millisecond pulsars. I also summarize the results of past X-ray observations of these objects and the prospects for precision neutron star mass-radius measurements with the upcoming Neutron Star Interior Composition Explorer (NICER) X-ray timing mission.
- Publication:
-
European Physical Journal A
- Pub Date:
- February 2016
- DOI:
- 10.1140/epja/i2016-16037-x
- arXiv:
- arXiv:1510.06371
- Bibcode:
- 2016EPJA...52...37B
- Keywords:
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- Astrophysics - High Energy Astrophysical Phenomena
- E-Print:
- 8 pages, 7 figures