Neutron Star Models in Alternative Theories of Gravity

<p>We study the structure of neutron stars in a broad class of alternative theories of gravity. In particular, we focus on Scalar-Tensor theories and <italic>f(R)<italic> theories of gravity. We construct static and slowly rotating numerical star models for a set of equations of state, including a polytropic model and more realistic equations of state motivated by nuclear physics. Observable quantities such as masses, radii, etc are calculated for a set of parameters of the theories.</p><p>Specifically for Scalar-Tensor theories, we also calculate the sensitivities of the mass and moment of inertia of the models to variations in the asymptotic value of the scalar field at infinity. These quantities enter post-Newtonian equations of motion and gravitational waveforms of two body systems that are used for gravitational-wave parameter estimation, in order to test these theories against observations.</p><p>The construction of numerical models of neutron stars in <italic>f(R)<italic> theories of gravity has been difficult in the past. Using a new formalism by Jaime, Patino and Salgado we were able to construct models with high interior pressure, namely <italic>p<sub>c<sub> > &rho; <sub>c<sub>/3<italic>, both for constant density models and models with a polytropic equation of state. Thus, we have shown that earlier objections to <italic>f(R)<italic> theories on the basis of the inability to construct viable neutron star models are unfounded.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Physics

Year dc:date.available

2014

Author dc:creator

• Manolidis, Dimitrios

Contributors dc:contributor

• Clifford M Will

• f(R)
• Gravity
• Neutron
• Scalar-Tensor
• Star
• Theory

Language dc:language

English (en)

DOI

https://doi.org/10.7936/K7S180MT

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:openscholarship.wustl.edu:etd-2322