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Disorder resistivity of solid neutron-star matter
1Department of Physics, University of Oxford, Denys Wilkinson Building, Keble Road, Oxford, OX1 3RH, England. p.jones1@physics.ox.ac.uk
Physical Review Letters
|December 17, 2004
Summary
We determined lower limits for the electrical resistivity of neutron-star matter, finding it is large and independent of temperature. This impacts our understanding of neutron-star magnetic field evolution.
Area of Science:
- Astrophysics
- Nuclear Physics
- Condensed Matter Physics
Background:
- Neutron stars are extremely dense remnants of massive stars.
- Understanding the properties of matter within neutron stars is crucial for astrophysics.
- The electrical resistivity of neutron-star matter influences magnetic field dynamics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine lower limits for the electrical resistivity of neutron-star matter.
- To investigate the impact of amorphous and heterogeneous nuclear charge on resistivity.
- To assess the temperature independence of this resistivity.
Main Methods:
- Theoretical calculations of electrical resistivity in neutron-star matter.
- Modeling amorphous and heterogeneous nuclear charge distributions.
- Comparison with phonon scattering contributions.
Main Results:
- Established lower limits for the disorder electrical resistivity.
- Found resistivity to be large and temperature-independent.
- Resistivity significantly exceeds that from phonon scattering.
Conclusions:
- The calculated resistivity has significant implications for neutron-star magnetic field generation.
- This finding impacts theories of neutron-star magnetic field evolution.
- The properties of matter in the neutron-drip region are key to understanding neutron stars.