Relativistic numerical models for stationary superfluid Neutron Stars

Abstract

We have developed a theoretical model and a numerical code for stationary rotating superfluid neutron stars in full general relativity. The underlying two-fluid model is based on Carter's covariant multi-fluid hydrodynamic formalism. The two fluids, representing the superfluid neutrons on one hand, and the protons and electrons on the other, are restricted to uniform rotation around a common axis, but are allowed to have different rotation rates. We have performed extensive tests of the numerical code, including quantitative comparisons to previous approximative results for these models. The results presented here are the first ``exact'' calculations of such models in the sense that no approximations (other than that inherent in a discretized numerical treatment) are used. Using this code we reconfirm the existence of prolate-oblate shaped configurations. We studied the dependency of the Kepler rotation limit and of the mass-density relation on the relative rotation rate. We further demonstrate how one can simulate a (albeit fluid) neutron-star ``crust'' by letting one fluid extend further outwards than the other, which results in interesting cases where the Kepler limit is actually determined by the outermost but slower fluid.