The population of radio-quiet and thermally emitting isolated neutron stars. A comprehensive picture of neutron star evolution in the Galaxy

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The observed population of neutron stars is dominated by radio pulsars. In recent years, however, different observational manifestations of isolated neutron stars (INSs) have been discovered, which include magnetars, X-ray dim isolated neutron stars (XDINS) and rotating radio transients (RRATs). In particular, XDINS constitute a homogeneous group of seven nearby, cooling INSs displaying unique properties. While currently fewer in number of detected sources, the peculiar INS subgroups might represent a considerable fraction of the neutron stars in the Galaxy and are very important for a number of reasons. First, the investigation of individual sources can greatly impact our understanding of the physics of matter at extreme conditions of gravity and magnetic field. Second, the relations between the various subgroups help us to understand the main properties determining the neutron star phenomenology. Finally, as new objects are discovered, a comprehensive picture of neutron star birth and evolution in the Milky Way can be aimed for. We propose to investigate the Galactic population of neutron stars, especially focusing on XDINS, in order to characterise neutron star properties and evolutionary state, as well as to understand how the peculiar subgroups relate to each other and to the bulk of the “normal” radio pulsar population. These goals will be pursued by studying further the existing sample of peculiar INSs, by identifying new INS candidates at greater distances and by modeling the creation, evolution and detectability of thermally emitting INSs in the Milky Way with current and future X-ray facilities.