Masters Thesis Defense - Thermal Evolution of Neutron Stars

Who: Ivan Hromada

Time: 2 PM, Wednesday, May 9th, 2007

Place: P-149

Abstract: Since their theoretical inception, neutron stars have been speculated to contain not only neutrons, but also other exotic states of matter such as mesons, hyperons, and quarks. The existence of these particles deep inside the core of neutron stars can play a significant role in how these compact objects cool. Using recent experimental results from several X-ray satellites and other observational techniques, theorists have been examining many equations of state with the hope of matching their cooling predictions of neutron stars to known data to understand the properties of ultra-dense matter within these unique stellar objects. Thus, the theoretical and computational approach to thermal evolution of neutron stars has led to new ideas concerning internal heating for some of these relativistic objects.

One such idea, which I investigate in this thesis, is that a class of slowly rotating isolated neutron stars, known as magnetars, may experience an increase in surface temperatures due to their strong magnetic fields. In fact, I intend to show that magnetars require ~ 10²¹ erg cm^-3 s^-1 of heat intensity to account for their high temperatures. Also, I suggest other possible forms of heating due to internal phase changes and external heat sources.

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