MSc Thesis Presentation: The Love Numbers and Multipole Moments of Static Binary Systems

MSc Candidate

Victoria Leaker

Abstract

Knowledge of the internal structure of compact bodies such as neutron stars is limited by a poor understanding of how extremely high densities impact the properties of nuclear matter. It is impossible to produce such densities in a lab environment, bringing about the need for new theoretical models to study such systems. The following proposed resolution relies on the partitioning of the system into interior and exterior zones, requiring the respective solutions to be matched at the adjoining boundary. The tidal environment is produced by a charged particle placed in the vicinity of the material body with the gravitational and electrostatic forces considered to be equal and opposite in magnitude and direction. As the charge of the neutron star approaches zero, the Love numbers for a charged body reproduce the Love numbers of an uncharged body in the limit.

Examination Committee

• Dr. Robert Wickham, Chair
• Dr: Eric Poisson, Advisor
• Dr. Liliana Caballero, Advisory Committee
• Dr. Luis Lehner, Associated Graduate Faculty