Thermal aspects of neutron star mergers

Understand

In order to extract maximal information from neutron-star merger signals, both gravitational and electromagnetic, we need to ensure that our theoretical models/numerical simulations faithfully represent the extreme physics involved.

• This involves a range of issues, with the finite temperature effects regulating many of the relevant phenomena.
• As a step towards understanding these issues, we explore the conditions for $\beta$-equilibrium in neutron star matter for the densities and temperatures reached in a binary neutron star merger.
• Using the results from our out-of-equilibrium merger simulation, we consider how different notions of equilibrium may affect the merger dynamics, raising issues that arise when attempting to account for these conditions in future simulations.