Rotation-driven phase transitions in the cores of pulsars

Abstract

In this paper, we discuss the impact of rotation on the particle composition of rotating neutron stars (pulsars). Particular emphasis is put on the formation of quark matter during stellar spin-down, driven by continuous gravitational compression. Our study is based on modern models for the nuclear equation of state whose parameters are tightly constrained by nuclear data, neutron star masses, and the latest estimates of neutron star radii.

7 pages, 5 figures; Paper presented at the 7th International Workshop on Astronomy and Relativistic Astrophysics, Gramado, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, October 9 - 13, 2016