Journey to the Centre of a Neutron Star by Professor G Srinivasan
Embark on a fascinating 2-hour lecture exploring the intricate structure and physics of neutron stars. Delve into the formation process of these celestial objects, starting with the onion skin model of stars and progressing through core collapse and supernova events. Examine the concept of neutron stars as the "ground state of matter" and journey to their center, investigating beta equilibrium and equations of state. Explore exotic states of matter, including Bose-Einstein condensation, pion condensation, and the possibility of quark-gluon plasma. Discover the phenomena of superfluidity and superconductivity in neutron stars, covering topics such as BCS theory, order parameters, and type II superconductivity. Learn about Abrikosov vortex lattices, coupled super states, and the interplay between neutron superfluidity and proton superconductivity. Conclude with a brief introduction to millisecond pulsars and engage in a Q&A session to deepen your understanding of these extraordinary astrophysical objects. Read more