Athena's Constraints on the Dense Matter Equation of State from Quiescent Low Mass X-ray Binaries
Abstract
Athena's observatory science goal R-SCIOBJ-331 states that Athena shall constrain the equation of state of neutron stars by obtaining X-ray spectra of 7 quiescent low mass X-ray binaries with a good distance estimate. Indeed, the study of the soft X-ray thermal emission from the neutron star surface in qLMXBs is a crucial tool to understand the interior structure of neutron stars and to place constrains on the dense matter equation of state. I will briefly review this method, its strengths and current weaknesses and limitations, as well as the current constraints on the equation of state from qLMXBs. The superior sensitivity of Athena will permit obtaining unprecedentedly high signal-to-noise spectra from these sources. I will present and discuss the expected constraints on the dense matter equation of state that will be obtained from observations of multiple qLMXBs with the Athena X-ray Observatory.
- Publication:
-
The X-ray Universe 2017
- Pub Date:
- October 2017
- Bibcode:
- 2017xru..conf...93G