Constraining the Bulk Properties of Dense Matter by Measuring Millisecond Pulsar Masses - A White Paper for the Astronomy and Astrophysics Decadal Survey, CFP Panel

TL;DR

This paper discusses how precise measurements of millisecond pulsar masses can provide critical constraints on the properties of super-dense matter, advancing our understanding of neutron star cores.

Contribution

It highlights recent progress and proposes future observational strategies to improve constraints on dense matter physics through pulsar mass measurements.

Findings

Recent measurements have constrained super-dense matter properties.

Continued pulsar timing can tighten these constraints.

Radio surveys will discover more pulsars for study.

Abstract

More than four decades after the discovery of pulsars, the composition of matter at their cores is still a mystery. This white paper summarizes how recent high-precision measurements of millisecond pulsar masses have introduced new experimental constraints on the properties of super-dense matter, and how continued timing of intriguing new objects, coupled with radio telescope surveys to discover more pulsars, might introduce significantly more stringent constraints.