Initial data for binary neutron stars with arbitrary spins

TL;DR

This paper develops a method to generate initial data for binary neutron star simulations with arbitrary spins, incorporating new matter equations that extend previous irrotational and corotating models.

Contribution

It introduces two novel matter equations for constructing spinning binary neutron star initial data within quasi-equilibrium approximations.

Findings

Derived two new matter equations for spinning neutron stars

Allowed arbitrary spin configurations in initial data construction

Reduced to known limits for corotating and irrotational cases

Abstract

In general neutron stars in binaries are spinning. Due to the existence of millisecond pulsars we know that these spins can be substantial. We argue that spins with periods on the order a few dozen milliseconds could influence the late inspiral and merger dynamics. Thus numerical simulations of the last few orbits and the merger should start from initial conditions that allow for arbitrary spins. We discuss quasi-equilibrium approximations one can make in the construction of binary neutron star initial data with spins. Using these approximations we are able to derive two new matter equations. As in the case of irrotational neutron star binaries one of these equations is algebraic and the other elliptic. If these new matter equations are solved together with the equations for the metric variables following the Wilson-Mathews or conformal thin sandwich approach one can construct neutron star initial data. The spin of each star is described by a rotational velocity that can be chosen freely so that one can create stars in arbitrary rotation states. Our new matter equations reduce to the well known limits of both corotating and irrotational neutron star binaries.