Using observations of millisecond pulsars to measure mass and radius of neutron stars and implications for equation of state of matter at high density

Abstract

Millisecond pulsars are rapidly rotating neutron stars where general relativity plays a strong role in the propagation of light from the neutron star to observer. The observed X-ray pulse shapes carry information on the mass, radius and surface shape of the neutron star. Comparison of theoretical calculations of pulse shapes with observed pulse shapes can give useful constraints on neutron star properties. Then comparison with calculated properties giving an assumed equation of state (EOS) can confirm or rule out the assumed EOS.