Bayesian inference of neutron star crust properties using an ab initio-benchmarked meta-model
Abstract
Accurate modeling of the neutron star crust is essential for interpreting multimessenger observations and constraining the nuclear equation of state (EoS). However, standard phenomenological EoS models often rely on heuristic extrapolations in the low-density regime, which are inconsistent with microscopic predictions. In this work, we refine a unified meta-modeling framework for the EoS by incorporating low-density corrections based on energy density functionals constrained by ab initio neutron-matter calculations. Using Bayesian inference to combine information from astrophysical observations, nuclear theory, and experiments, we assess the impact of these corrections on key crustal properties, including the crust-core transition density and pressure, crustal composition, and moment of inertia. The improved model reduces uncertainties in the inner crust and emphasizes the importance of low-density physics in EoS modeling, highlighting the value of integrating both theoretical and observational constraints across densities to robustly describe the EoS. Moreover, the adopted approach can be readily applied to any existing EoS model to provide a solid framework for interpreting upcoming high-precision multimessenger data.
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BibTeX
@article{burrello2026bayesian,
title = {{Bayesian inference of neutron star crust properties using an ab initio-benchmarked meta-model}},
author = {S Burrello and F Gulminelli and M Antonelli and M Colonna and A.F Fantina},
journal = {Physical Review C},
year = {2026},
month = sep,
doi = {10.1103/74qx-8ym8},
eprint = {2506.05603},
archivePrefix = {arXiv},
url = {https://hal.science/hal-05118135v1},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Bayesian inference of neutron star crust properties using an ab initio-benchmarked meta-model
AU - S Burrello
AU - F Gulminelli
AU - M Antonelli
AU - M Colonna
AU - A.F Fantina
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/09/23
JO - Physical Review C
DO - 10.1103/74qx-8ym8
UR - https://hal.science/hal-05118135v1
AB - Accurate modeling of the neutron star crust is essential for interpreting multimessenger observations and constraining the nuclear equation of state (EoS). However, standard phenomenological EoS models often rely on heuristic extrapolations in the low-density regime, which are inconsistent with microscopic predictions. In this work, we refine a unified meta-modeling framework for the EoS by incorporating low-density corrections based on energy density functionals constrained by ab initio neutron-matter calculations. Using Bayesian inference to combine information from astrophysical observations, nuclear theory, and experiments, we assess the impact of these corrections on key crustal properties, including the crust-core transition density and pressure, crustal composition, and moment of inertia. The improved model reduces uncertainties in the inner crust and emphasizes the importance of low-density physics in EoS modeling, highlighting the value of integrating both theoretical and observational constraints across densities to robustly describe the EoS. Moreover, the adopted approach can be readily applied to any existing EoS model to provide a solid framework for interpreting upcoming high-precision multimessenger data.
SN - 2469-9985
SN - 2469-9993
ER -