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Superfluidity in neutron stars

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Abstract

Recent developments have radically changed our understanding of the dynamics of neutron-star superfluids. We review astrophysical evidence for the existence of at least three distinct superfluids inside neutron stars from the observed relaxation of the rotation and spin-down rates of the pulsars Vela, Crab and PSR0525+21, following sudden jumps (glitches) in these quantities. We also discuss the effects of the superfluid interior in the accreting neutron-star X-ray sources.

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Author notes

  1. M. Ali Alpar

    Present address: TBTAK, Research Institute for Basic Sciences, Gebze-Kocaeli, Turkey

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physics, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1110 W. Green, Urbana, Illinois, 61801, USA

    David Pines & M. Ali Alpar

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  1. David Pines
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  2. M. Ali Alpar
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Pines, D., Alpar, M. Superfluidity in neutron stars. Nature 316, 27–32 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1038/316027a0

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