What a Two Solar Mass Neutron Star Really Means

TL;DR

This paper uses recent neutron star mass measurements to set model-independent upper limits on their internal properties and discusses implications for exotic matter in neutron star cores.

Contribution

It introduces a simple analytic model linking neutron star mass to upper bounds on thermodynamic properties, constraining exotic matter presence.

Findings

Maximum energy density ~2 GeV for 1.97 M$_\odot$ neutron star

Pressure limit ~1.3 GeV, baryon chemical potential ~2.1 GeV

Maximum neutron star mass constrained to about 2.4 M$_\odot$

Abstract

The determination of neutron star masses is reviewed in light of a new measurement of 1.97 M$_\odot$ for PSR J1614-2230 and an estimate of 2.4 M$_\odot$ for the black widow pulsar. Using a simple analytic model related to the so-called maximally compact equation of state, model-independent upper limits to thermodynamic properties in neutron stars, such as energy density, pressure, baryon number density and chemical potential, are established which depend upon the neutron star maximum mass. Using the largest well-measured neutron star mass, 1.97 M$_\odot$, it is possible to show that the energy density can never exceed about 2 GeV, the pressure about 1.3 GeV, and the baryon chemical potential about 2.1 GeV. Further, if quark matter comprises a significant component of neutron star cores, these limits are reduced to 1.3 GeV, 0.9 GeV, and 1.5 GeV, respectively. We also find that the maximum binding energy of any neutron star is about 25% of the rest mass. Neutron matter properties and astrophysical constraints additionally imply an upper limit to the neutron star maximum mass of about 2.4 M$_\odot$. A measured mass of 2.4 M$\odot$ would be incompatible with hybrid star models containing {\it significant} proportions of exotica in the form of hyperons, Bose condensates or quark matter.