Implications of latest NICER data for the neutron star equation of state

TL;DR

This paper updates Bayesian inferences of the neutron star equation of state using new NICER data, showing modest shifts in radius and density estimates and strengthening evidence for a negative trace anomaly in heavy neutron stars.

Contribution

It incorporates recent NICER observations into Bayesian models, refining neutron star property estimates and providing stronger evidence for a negative trace anomaly.

Findings

Neutron star radii are slightly reduced by 0.2-0.3 km.

Central densities increase but remain below five times nuclear saturation density.

Evidence for a negative trace anomaly measure is now strong.

Abstract

As an update to our previously performed Bayesian inference analyses of the neutron star matter equation-of-state and related quantities, the additional impact of the recently published NICER data of PSR J0437-4751 is examined. Including the mass and radius distributions of this pulsar in our data base results in modest shifts from previously inferred median posterior values of radii $R$ and central densities $n_c$ for representative $1.4\,M_\odot$ and $2.1\,M_\odot$ neutron stars: radii are reduced by about $0.2-0.3$ km to values of $R_{1.4} = 12.1\pm 0.5$ km and $R_{2.1} = 11.9^{+0.5}_{-0.6}$ km (at the 68\% level), and central densities increase slightly to values of $n_c(1.4\,M_\odot)/n_0 = 2.8\pm 0.3$ and $n_c(2.1\,M_\odot)/n_0 = 3.8_{-0.7}^{+0.6}$ (in units of equilibrium nuclear matter density, $n_0 = 0.16$ fm$^{-3}$), i.e., they still fall below five times nuclear saturation density at the 68\% level. As a further significant result, the evidence established by analyzing Bayes factors for a negative trace anomaly measure, $\Delta = 1/3-P/\varepsilon < 0$, inside heavy neutron stars is raised to strong.