Thermodynamics conditions of matter in the neutrino decoupling region during neutron star mergers

Understand

Neutrino-matter interactions play a key role in binary neutron star mergers.

• Thermodynamics conditions at the surfaces where neutrinos decouple from matter influence neutrino spectra, ultimately affecting the evolution of the remnant and the properties of the ejecta.
• In this work, we post-process results of general relativistic merger simulations employing microphysical equations of state and approximate neutrino transport to investigate the thermodynamics conditions at which weak and thermal equilibrium freezes out (equilibrium surfaces), as well as conditions at which the transition between diffusion and free-streaming regime occurs (diffusion surfaces).
• We find that the rest mass density and the neutrino energy are the most relevant quantities in determining the location of the decoupling surfaces.