Neutron star crusts and the dense matter equation of state

NUCL 16

M. Prakash, prakash@harsha.phy.ohiou.edu, Department of Physics, Ohio University, Athens, OH 45701
Recent observations of accreting (non- or weakly-magnetized) neutron stars have affirmed the predicted existence of crusts in neutron stars. Interpretation of these observations is beginning to provide direct information about the thickness of the crust and the transport properties of its constituents. In this talk, I will highlight the connections that exist between the macrophysical properties of a neutron star (such as its mass, radius and crustal thickness, all of which depend on the dense matter equation of state) and the microphysical properties (such as superfluidity and transport properties) of the crustal material. Directions for future research in this area will also be discussed.