Properties of the neutron star crust informed by nuclear structure data
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: We perform a Bayesian analysis of the neutron star (NS) equation of state (EoS) based on a wide set of Skyrme functionals, derived from previous nuclear physics inferences. The novelty of this approach lies in starting from the full multidimensional posterior distribution of nuclear matter parameters, consistent with a comprehensive set of static and dynamic nuclear structure observables. We construct unified EoSs for $npeμ$ matter, where the inner crust of the NS is treated using an extended Thomas-Fermi method, providing for the first time a fully consistent Bayesian treatment of the correlation of bulk with surface as well as with spin-orbit and effective mass parameters. We then employ a standard Bayesian framework to identify those EoSs that satisfy astrophysical constraints from NS mass measurements, the tidal deformability from GW170817, and NICER mass-radius observations. We also examine NS observables, such as the crustal moment of inertia, which is crucial in understanding pulsar glitches. Compared to previous works, we observe an increase in both the NS surface thickness and the crustal moment of inertia.
Source: Physical Review C
DOI: 10.1103/mm6h-3jqs
Authors: Pietro Klausner, Marco Antonelli, Francesca Gulminelli
Language: English
Subfield: Astronomy and Astrophysics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W4417210739