My recent work in collaboration with Yong Gao (lead author), Hao-Jui Kuan, Cheng-Jun Xia, and Masaru Shibata, entitled “Nonradial oscillations of stratified neutron stars with solid crusts: Mode characterization and tidal resonances in coalescing binaries” was published in Physical Review D as an Editor’s Suggestion.
The article is featured in Physical Review D’s website, with a concise description of our work:
As binary neutron stars inspiral toward each other, the tides raise can excite fluid and elastic modes on these neutron stars. The authors show using a realistic stellar model that these modes can have a small phase shift in the merger waveforms. In addition, these modes can reach such amplitudes that they can lead to crust breaking, which potentially can release tremendous amounts of energy into the magnetosphere, which would be a powerful precursor to the final merger.
Interested in seeing how tidal interactions can shatter the crust of a neutron star? Visit Yong’s website to see the beautiful animation he made!