Topological characterization of neutron star crusts

TL;DR

This paper develops a topological method to characterize complex pasta-like structures in neutron star crusts, using a classical molecular dynamics model and techniques from physics and topology.

Contribution

It introduces a novel topological characterization method for neutron star crust structures based on molecular dynamics simulations.

Findings

Successfully modeled pasta shapes in neutron star crusts

Developed a new topological analysis technique for shape characterization

Provides a quantitative way to classify crust structures

Abstract

Neutron star crusts are studied using a classical molecular dynamics model developed for heavy ion reactions. After the model is shown to produce a plethora of the so-called "pasta" shapes, a series of techniques borrowed from nuclear physics, condensed matter physics and topology are used to craft a method that can be used to characterize the shape of the pasta structures in an unequivocal way.