Fundamental physics with neutron stars

TL;DR

Neutron stars serve as natural laboratories for testing various fundamental physics theories, with historical observations and theoretical studies advancing our understanding of their complex physics.

Contribution

This paper reviews the historical observations and theoretical studies that establish neutron stars as probes for fundamental physics, highlighting recent developments.

Findings

Neutron stars provide insights into gravitational physics.

They serve as tests for nuclear and particle physics.

Observations have confirmed key theoretical predictions.

Abstract

Neutron stars are rich laboratories of multiple branches of modern physics. These include gravitational physics, nuclear and particle physics, (quantum) electrodynamics, and plasma astrophysics. In this chapter, we present the pioneering theoretical studies and the pivotal historical observations on which our understanding of neutron stars is based on. Then, we discuss the usage of neutron stars as probes of fundamental theories of physics.