Summary
We will use extra-galactic Fast X-ray Transients (FXTs) to study binary neutron star (BNS) mergers. Merging neutron stars are important for the formation of r-process elements and provide standardizable signals allowing the Hubble constant (H0) to be measured maximizing the science output of these multi-messenger events. Comparing BNS mergers with and without an FXT signal provides a way to constrain the elusive equation of state of matter at supra-nuclear densities. Unlike the highly beamed short gamma-ray burst signal associated with BNS mergers, the FXT signal is ~isotropic providing us with the means to quickly localise the merger, even for events out to the BNS merger detection horizon of the 3rd generation of GW detectors such as Einstein Telescope or Cosmic Explorer. A high-risk aspect is that the link between FXTs and BNSs is not yet 100% certain. FXTs manifest as singular short flashes of X-ray photons with durations ranging from minutes to hours. The imminent launch of the all-sky X-ray survey satellite Einstein Probe together with the recent deployment of premiere ground-based instrumentation will revolutionize this field by enabling the discovery and immediate follow-up of a statistically significant sample of more than a hundred bright FXTs over the >3-yr Einstein Probe mission duration. Complemented with a comprehensive study of the FXT host galaxies, this will lead to a breakthrough in our understanding of FXTs and enabling us to measure the yield of r-process elements, H0, and the maximum mass of a neutron star using BNS mergers. In addition to our main goals, we expect serendipitous discoveries in this new research field.
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More information & hyperlinks
| Web resources: | https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101095973 |
| Start date: | 01-09-2023 |
| End date: | 31-08-2028 |
| Total budget - Public funding: | 3 000 000,00 Euro - 3 000 000,00 Euro |
Cordis data
Original description
We will use extra-galactic Fast X-ray Transients (FXTs) to study binary neutron star (BNS) mergers. Merging neutron stars are important for the formation of r-process elements and provide standardizable signals allowing the Hubble constant (H0) to be measured maximizing the science output of these multi-messenger events. Comparing BNS mergers with and without an FXT signal provides a way to constrain the elusive equation of state of matter at supra-nuclear densities. Unlike the highly beamed short gamma-ray burst signal associated with BNS mergers, the FXT signal is ~isotropic providing us with the means to quickly localise the merger, even for events out to the BNS merger detection horizon of the 3rd generation of GW detectors such as Einstein Telescope or Cosmic Explorer. A high-risk aspect is that the link between FXTs and BNSs is not yet 100% certain. FXTs manifest as singular short flashes of X-ray photons with durations ranging from minutes to hours. The imminent launch of the all-sky X-ray survey satellite Einstein Probe together with the recent deployment of premiere ground-based instrumentation will revolutionize this field by enabling the discovery and immediate follow-up of a statistically significant sample of more than a hundred bright FXTs over the >3-yr Einstein Probe mission duration. Complemented with a comprehensive study of the FXT host galaxies, this will lead to a breakthrough in our understanding of FXTs and enabling us to measure the yield of r-process elements, H0, and the maximum mass of a neutron star using BNS mergers. In addition to our main goals, we expect serendipitous discoveries in this new research field.Status
SIGNEDCall topic
ERC-2022-ADGUpdate Date
31-07-2023
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