Solid interiors of neutron stars and gravitational radiation

TL;DR

This paper explores the solid interior structures of neutron stars, their deformation and precession, and how these features influence gravitational radiation, with implications for detection via pulsar timing.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive analysis of neutron star solid interiors, including crust composition, deformation effects, and gravitational wave emission mechanisms.

Findings

Solid crusts significantly affect neutron star mass and moment of inertia.

Deformations and precession can produce detectable gravitational waves.

Precessing pulsars are potential sources of gravitational radiation.

Abstract

Contents: 1.Introduction 2. Formation and composition of the solid crust 3. The bottom layers of the crust: exotic nuclear shapes and topologies 4. Crust contribution to stellar mass and moment of inertia 5. Solid cores 6. Deformation, elastic strain and mountains 7. Shape and energy of rotating, partially solid neutron star 8. Oblateness and precession 9. Gravitational radiation from precessing pulsars 10. Gravitational radiation from precessing pulsars and pulsar timing 11. Detectability