Quark Matter in Neutron Star Mergers
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Southampton
Department Name: Sch of Mathematical Sciences
Abstract
The existence and location of a first order phase transition from nuclear to deconfined quark matter are one of particle physics's most
exciting unanswered questions. With the discovery of gravitational waves from a binary neutron star merger in 2017 from the LIGO
and VIRGO detectors, entirely new ways of investigating dense matter have emerged. Future third-generation gravitational-wave
detectors like the planned Einstein Telescope (ET) in Europe will be able to not only measure the inspiral but the actual merger of the
stars. Only by improving the microscopic physics implemented in numerical simulations, we will be able to decode and constrain the
governing forces of particle physics imprinted in the merger signal and unlock ET's full potential. This includes a proper treatment of
the microscopic physics of chemical equilibration and deconfinement in quark matter. In previous works, the effects of the weak
interaction have been ignored, which dismisses important effects like bulk viscosity and phase conversion dissipation. The aim of
QUARKSTAR is to investigate, compute and provide all the necessary microscopic physics for the proper treatment of quark matter in
mergers. The main focus is to provide the results in a way that they can be used by the merger community and implemented in future
simulations. This might open a completely new pathway to the discovery of quark matter in dense matter.
As an expert on microscopic physics, transport, and weak interaction processes in neutron star mergers, Dr. Alexander Haber will join
forces with the numerical general relativity group of Prof. Nils Andersson in Southampton. This ideal placement allows Dr. Haber to
receive all relevant training for his future academic career while presenting the ideal combination of knowledge from microscopic
physics to general relativity necessary to tackle the question of quark matter and deconfinement in neutron star mergers.
exciting unanswered questions. With the discovery of gravitational waves from a binary neutron star merger in 2017 from the LIGO
and VIRGO detectors, entirely new ways of investigating dense matter have emerged. Future third-generation gravitational-wave
detectors like the planned Einstein Telescope (ET) in Europe will be able to not only measure the inspiral but the actual merger of the
stars. Only by improving the microscopic physics implemented in numerical simulations, we will be able to decode and constrain the
governing forces of particle physics imprinted in the merger signal and unlock ET's full potential. This includes a proper treatment of
the microscopic physics of chemical equilibration and deconfinement in quark matter. In previous works, the effects of the weak
interaction have been ignored, which dismisses important effects like bulk viscosity and phase conversion dissipation. The aim of
QUARKSTAR is to investigate, compute and provide all the necessary microscopic physics for the proper treatment of quark matter in
mergers. The main focus is to provide the results in a way that they can be used by the merger community and implemented in future
simulations. This might open a completely new pathway to the discovery of quark matter in dense matter.
As an expert on microscopic physics, transport, and weak interaction processes in neutron star mergers, Dr. Alexander Haber will join
forces with the numerical general relativity group of Prof. Nils Andersson in Southampton. This ideal placement allows Dr. Haber to
receive all relevant training for his future academic career while presenting the ideal combination of knowledge from microscopic
physics to general relativity necessary to tackle the question of quark matter and deconfinement in neutron star mergers.
