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Neutron-star mergers in scalar-tensor theories of gravity

Enrico Barausse, Carlos Palenzuela, Marcelo Ponce, and Luis Lehner
Phys. Rev. D 87, 081506(R) – Published 25 April 2013

Abstract

Scalar-tensor theories of gravity are natural phenomenological alternatives to General Relativity, where the gravitational interaction is mediated by a scalar degree of freedom, besides the usual tensor gravitons. In regions of the parameter space of these theories where constraints from both solar system experiments and binary-pulsar observations are satisfied, we show that binaries of neutron stars present marked differences from General Relativity in both the late-inspiral and merger phases. In particular, phenomena related to the spontaneous scalarization of isolated neutron stars take place in the late stages of the evolution of binary systems, with important effects in the ensuing dynamics. We comment on the relevance of our results for the upcoming Advanced LIGO/Virgo detectors.

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  • Received 21 December 2012

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevD.87.081506

© 2013 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

Enrico Barausse1,2, Carlos Palenzuela3, Marcelo Ponce2, and Luis Lehner4,5

  • 1Institut d’Astrophysique de Paris/CNRS, 98bis boulevard Arago, 75014 Paris, France
  • 2Department of Physics, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada
  • 3Canadian Institute for Theoretical Astrophysics, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3H8, Canada
  • 4Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 2Y5, Canada
  • 5Canadian Institute for Advanced Research, Cosmology & Gravity Program, Canada

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Issue

Vol. 87, Iss. 8 — 15 April 2013

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