Neutrino luminosity constraints on first-order quark-hadron transition densities

In this research, we investigate what neutron stars are made of: matter as we know it, such as neutrons and protons, or a plasma of matter’s most fundamental particles, quarks and gluons? We study the possibility that these two phases of matter are present in the center of neutron stars and try to predict the transition point between them, known as the quark-hadron phase transition density. To do that, we compare predictions of different models for luminosity, mass, radius and deformability of a neutron star to the most recent astrophysical data. With these comparisons, we hope to establish limits on the quark-hadron phase transition density, which could be used to inform more accurate theoretical models in the future. We will also investigate how sensitive our conclusions are to the models with which we are working. In the current era of multi-messenger astronomy, research like ours is a crucial bridge between theoretical and observational fields.

Faculty Supervisor:

Charles Gale

Student:

Partner:

Goethe University Frankfurt

Discipline:

Physics

Sector:

Other

University:

McGill University

Program: