Understanding the Physics of Neutron Star Interiors

我的计划将提高我们对中子星(NSS，对核物理很重要)内部以及包含NSS的双星系统演化的理解。测量NSS的半径是困难的，但对于限制它们的组成是至关重要的，而研究球状星团中静态NSS的方法可能是最有前途的。我正在领导的项目是限制这种方法的系统误差，并获得对核物理有用的约束所需的精确度的观测结果。我正在解开NSS之间中微子发射的差异，这些差异有望解释NS核向中子超流的转变，以及快速URCA过程中微子发射的密度阈值。我正在探索包含NSS和黑洞的双星系统的演化，通过开发新的观测活动来识别低光度瞬变X射线源，并研究球状星团中静止的NSS和黑洞的群体。 这些项目为我提供了培训研究生和本科生学习X射线和光学分析技术、科学解决问题和提问以及沟通的机会。早期接触天体物理研究将特别有利于那些希望继续在这一领域工作的人。学习新软件和脚本语言、科学解决问题和交流的技能也将使进入工业或其他物理领域的学生受益。

My program will improve our understanding of the interiors of neutron stars (NSs, important for nuclear physics), and of the evolution of binary star systems containing NSs. Measuring the radius of NSs is difficult, but crucial for constraining their composition, and the method of studying quiescent NSs in globular clusters is likely the most promising. I am leading projects to constrain systematic errors in this method, and obtain observations with the precision needed to give useful constraints on nuclear physics. I am unraveling differences in neutrino emission among NSs, which promise to illuminate the transition to neutron superfluidity in NS cores, and the density threshold for rapid Urca-process neutrino emission. I am exploring the evolution of binary systems containing NSs and black holes, through developing new observational campaigns to identify low-luminosity transient X-ray sources, and studying populations of quiescent NSs and black holes in globular clusters. These projects offer opportunities for me to train graduate and undergraduate students in X-ray and optical analysis techniques, scientific problem-solving and question-asking, and communication. Early exposure to astrophysics research will especially benefit those hoping to continue in this area. Skills in learning new software and scripting languages, scientific problem-solving, and communication will also benefit students who go into industry or other areas of physics.