SQM stars around pulsar PSR B1257+12

TL;DR

This paper explores the possibility that objects orbiting pulsar PSR B1257+12 are exotic dwarf strange quark stars, suggesting that the pulsar itself could be a quark star, which would imply strange quark matter is the ground state of matter.

Contribution

It proposes a novel hypothesis that the companions of PSR B1257+12 are dwarf strange quark stars and the pulsar may be a quark star, challenging traditional neutron star models.

Findings

Objects may be dwarf strange quark stars rather than ordinary planets.

The pulsar could be a quark star with standard mass.

Implication that strange quark matter is the ground state of matter.

Abstract

Following Wolszczan's landmark discovery of planets in orbit around pulsar PSR B1257+12 in 1991, over 300 planets in more than 200 planetary systems have been found. Therefore, the meaning of Wolszczan's discovery cannot be overestimated. In this paper we aim to convince the reader that the objects accompanying pulsar PSR B1257+12 are more exotic than thought so far. They might not be ordinary planets but dwarf strange quark stars, whereas the pulsar might be a quark star with standard mass, not a neutron star. If this was the case, it would indicate that strange quark matter is the ground state of matter.