Bulk Viscosity from Electroweak Processes and its Impact on the Inspiral and Postmerger Phases of Compact Star Binaries

by Dr José Luis Hernández (Universitat de Barcelona)

Friday 12 Jun 2026, 15:30 → 16:30 Asia/Shanghai

Abstract: 

Bulk viscosity in nuclear and strange quark matter arises from electroweak processes as the system is driven out of chemical equilibrium. This dissipative mechanism plays a crucial role in two distinct astrophysical regimes during the coalescence of compact star binaries. First, during the inspiral phase of strange quark stars, bulk-viscous dissipation leads to tidal heating, which induces a measurable cumulative phase shift in the gravitational waveform. Second, bulk viscosity contributes to the damping of strong internal baryon density oscillations in post-merger remnants. This damping can significantly affect the kilohertz (kHz) gravitational wave emissions, providing a potential signature for next-generation detectors. In this talk, I discuss how bulk viscosity is generated in neutron star matter and its potential impact on gravitational wave radiation from compact star mergers.
 

 

 

 

Alternative online link: 

https://meeting.tencent.com/dm/0GSOtt0DDu18 

ID: 396248522     Passcode: 468741