Effectively universal behavior of rotating neutron stars in general relativity makes them even simpler than their Newtonian counterparts

Nov 21, 2013
5 pages
Published in:
  • Phys.Rev.Lett. 112 (2014) 121101
  • Published: Mar 26, 2014
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Abstract: (APS)

Recently, it was shown that slowly rotating neutron stars exhibit an interesting correlation between their moment of inertia I, their quadrupole moment Q, and their tidal deformation Love number λ (the I-Love-Q relations), independently of the equation of state of the compact object. In the present Letter a similar, more general, universality is shown to hold true for all rotating neutron stars within general relativity; the first four multipole moments of the neutron star are related in a way independent of the nuclear matter equation of state we assume. By exploiting this relation, we can describe quite accurately the geometry around a neutron star with fewer parameters, even if we don’t know precisely the equation of state. Furthermore, this universal behavior displayed by neutron stars could promote them to a more promising class of candidates (next to black holes) for testing theories of gravity.

Note:
  • Main text followed by supplemental material. 11 figures and 4 tables. Accepted for publication as a Letter in Physical Review Letters
  • 97.60.Jd
  • 04.25.D-
  • 26.60.Kp
  • 95.30.Sf