Open AccessDifferential rotation of relativistic superfluid in neutron stars
Author(s) -
Langlois David,
Sedrakian David M.,
Carter Brandon
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
monthly notices of the royal astronomical society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.058
H-Index - 383
eISSN - 1365-2966
pISSN - 0035-8711
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-8711.1998.01575.x
Subject(s) - physics , neutron star , superfluidity , differential rotation , rotation (mathematics) , vortex , electron , degenerate energy levels , classical mechanics , computational physics , magnetic field , condensed matter physics , astrophysics , quantum mechanics , mechanics , geometry , mathematics
It is shown how to set up a mathematically elegant and fully relativistic superfluid model that can provide a realistic approximation (neglecting small anisotropies due to crust solidity, magnetic fields, etc., but allowing for the regions with vortex pinning) of the global structure of a rotating neutron star, in terms of just two independently moving constituents. One of these represents the differentially rotating neutron superfluid, while the other part represents the combination of all the other ingredients, including the degenerate electrons, the superfluid protons in the core, and the ions in the crust, the electromagnetic interactions of which will tend to keep them locked together in a state of approximately rigid rotation. Order of magnitude estimates are provided for relevant parameters such as the resistive drag coefficient.