Properties of High-Density Matter in Neutron Stars

TL;DR

This review explores the different states of ultra-dense matter in neutron stars, focusing on quark deconfinement and strange quark matter, and discusses how astrophysical data can constrain the properties of such dense matter.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of the possible phases of matter in neutron star cores, emphasizing the role of quark deconfinement and strange stars in understanding dense baryonic matter.

Findings

Quark deconfinement may occur in neutron star cores.

Strange quark matter could form absolutely stable compact stars.

Astrophysical observations help constrain the equation of state of dense matter.

Abstract

This short review aims at giving a brief overview of the various states of matter that have been suggested to exist in the ultra-dense centers of neutron stars. Particular emphasis is put on the role of quark deconfinement in neutron stars and on the possible existence of compact stars made of absolutely stable strange quark matter (strange stars). Astrophysical phenomena, which distinguish neutron stars from quark stars, are discussed and the question of whether or not quark deconfinement may occur in neutron stars is investigated. Combined with observed astrophysical data, such studies are invaluable to delineate the complex structure of compressed baryonic matter and to put firm constraints on the largely unknown equation of state of such matter.