Objective
Modern physics presents a number of challenges about the behaviour of the four fundamental forces of Nature which are beyond current technological capabilities of Earth-based labs. The existence of gravitational waves, their emission processes and the determination of the true ground state of ultra-dense matter are fascinating problems that can only be addressed with exceptional astrophysical laboratories like compact objects. In particular neutron stars and black holes, provide a unique opportunity to advance our understanding of these fundamental physics problems. The spin of neutron stars is perhaps the best observable that carries a large amount of information on the behaviour of matter in curved space-times and at ultra-high densities. Indeed the efficiency of gravitational wave emission mechanisms and the binding energy of sub-nuclear particles do depend on the spin period of neutron stars. In this project I address the problem of the existence of neutron stars in X-ray binaries with spin periods of less than 1 millisecond and propose to perform the deepest pulse search ever done on neutron star low mass X-ray binaries. These sub-millisecond objects, if found, are spinning sufficiently fast that strong model-independent constraints can be placed on the equation of state of ultra-dense matter and on the efficiency of gravitational wave emission mechanisms. I discuss then a possible new way to determine the spin of compact objects through a yet poorly explored quantum property of light. Finally, I propose to constrain gravitational wave emission mechanisms based on an enlarged sample size of neutron star spin frequencies which might help to pinpoint the best neutron star candidates for future direct gravitational wave searches.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences physical sciences astronomy observational astronomy gravitational waves
- natural sciences physical sciences astronomy stellar astronomy neutron stars
- natural sciences physical sciences astronomy astrophysics black holes
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Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
FP7-PEOPLE-2012-IOF
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Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Coordinator
SO17 1BJ SOUTHAMPTON
United Kingdom
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.