Thermal Effects in Binary Neutron Star Mergers

Journal Article · 30 July 2023 · The Astrophysical Journal. Letters

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3847/2041-8213/ace5b2 · OSTI ID:1993341

Fields, Jacob ; Prakash, Aviral ; Breschi, Matteo ; Radice, David ; Bernuzzi, Sebastiano ; Schneider, André da Silva

Abstract We study the impact of finite-temperature effects in numerical-relativity simulations of binary neutron star mergers with microphysical equations of state and neutrino transport in which we vary the effective nucleon masses in a controlled way. We find that, as the specific heat is increased, the merger remnants become colder and more compact due to the reduced thermal pressure support. Using a full Bayesian analysis, we demonstrate that this effect will be measurable in the postmerger gravitational wave signal with next-generation observatories at signal-to-noise ratios of 15.

• Research Organization: Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: National Science Foundation (NSF); USDOE; USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES). Scientific User Facilities (SUF); USDOE Office of Science (SC), Nuclear Physics (NP)
• Grant/Contract Number: AC02-05CH11231; SC0021177
• OSTI ID: 1993341
• Journal Information: The Astrophysical Journal. Letters, Journal Name: The Astrophysical Journal. Letters Journal Issue: 2 Vol. 952; ISSN 2041-8205
• Publisher: American Astronomical SocietyCopyright Statement
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English