Neutron stars as a test bed for f(T) gravity

Abstract

Astro-nuclear physics is a new and, up and coming subject in the field of astro physics. It involves using astrophysical observation to constrain model parameters as well as to discriminate between competing models of gravity. One particular instance of this is the test bed offered by neutron stars. These are stars that have undergone such extreme transitions that only neutrons are left in the star. In order to gain more insight into such extreme environments, models have to be de rived and developed. One such model is the use of the Tolman-Oppenheimer-Volkoff equation which constrains the structure of a symmetric body of isotropic material, placed in gravitational equilibrium. A simple, working model for the Tolman-Oppenheimer-Volkoff equation in neutron stars within the modified f (T)-gravity models is derived. The linear f (T) parameter, f (T) = αT is then used in order to gain a simple model for the generalised case. The restrictions imposed upon modified f (T)-gravity are also discussed. Finally the results are applied to a piecewise polytropic equation of state in order to derive the mass-radius relation of the neutron star within a certain α.