Probing the neutron star equation of state through X-ray spectroscopy

27 Mar 2014, 11:30
40m

Speaker

Craig Heinke (U)

Description

Measurements of thermal radiation from neutron star surfaces offer the prospect of constraining the mass and radius of the neutron star. Such analyses require knowledge of how the atmosphere affect the radiation spectrum, the distance to the neutron star, and (for low energies) the effect of the interstellar medium. I will review methods using spectral lines, pulse profile modelling, X-ray burst spectral modelling, and quiescent LMXB spectral modelling, which can constrain the neutron star radius and/or the thermal properties of the neutron star (including the crustal conductivity and neutrino emission mechanisms).

Primary author

Presentation materials