Probing fundamental physics with pulsars

TL;DR

Pulsars serve as versatile tools for probing fundamental physics, enabling tests of relativity, studying dense matter, and exploring cosmology through advanced surveys and precise timing techniques.

Contribution

This paper reviews recent advancements in pulsar surveys, timing methods, and their applications in testing physics and understanding astrophysical phenomena.

Findings

Progress in rotating radio transients and intermittent pulsars

Enhanced tests of general relativity using pulsar timing

Improved measurements of neutron star masses and properties

Abstract

Pulsars provide a wealth of information about General Relativity, the equation of state of superdense matter, relativistic particle acceleration in high magnetic fields, the Galaxy's interstellar medium and magnetic field, stellar and binary evolution, celestial mechanics, planetary physics and even cosmology. The wide variety of physical applications currently being investigated through studies of radio pulsars rely on: (i) finding interesting objects to study via large-scale and targeted surveys; (ii) high-precision timing measurements which exploit their remarkable clock-like stability. We review current surveys and the principles of pulsar timing and highlight progress made in the rotating radio transients, intermittent pulsars, tests of relativity, understanding pulsar evolution, measuring neutron star masses and the pulsar timing array.