Measuring Neutron-Star Radii with Gravitational-Wave Detectors

Joshua A. Faber, Philippe Grandclément, Frederic A. Rasio, Keisuke Taniguchi

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

64 Scopus citations

Abstract

Coalescing binary neutron stars (NS) are expected to be an important source of gravitational waves (GW) detectable by laser interferometers. We present here a simple method for determining the compactness ratio [Formula presented] of NS based on the observed deviation of the GW energy spectrum from point-mass behavior at the end of inspiral. Our method is based on the properties of quasiequilibrium binary NS sequences and does not require the computation of the full GW signal [Formula presented]. Combined with the measurement of the NS masses during inspiral, the determination of [Formula presented] will allow very strong constraints to be placed on the equation of state of dense nuclear matter.

Original languageEnglish (US)
JournalPhysical review letters
Volume89
Issue number23
DOIs
StatePublished - 2002

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Physics and Astronomy

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