Orateur
Description
The question of the nuclear symmetry energy is of great importance in physics, with numerous implications for a variety of fields. There exist different approches to solve this question, either experimentally, theoretically, or with astrophysical observations. For the latter, neutron stars are unique laboratories to probe nuclear-rich matter beyond saturation density, and therefore to help understand the nuclear symmetry energy. measurements of neutron stars masses and radii are direct probes of the interior of these compact objects, and therefore on the composition and behaviour of dense nuclear matter. Mass measurements have been accessible from radio pulsars in binary systems since the discovery of the Hulse-Taylor pulsar in the 1970s, providing exquisite precisions for neutron stars between 1.2 and about 2.1 solar masses. In the past two decades, X-ray observatories have provided some measurements of neutron star radii, but with limited precision in comparison to the mass measurements. The results from the NICER Observatory have, however, showed the most promising, robust and precise measurements. In this talk, I will present the key and most recent results from the NICER mission of the measurements of three neutron stars, as well as the implications for the equation of state of dense matter. The talk will also include a discussion of expected constraints from future observatories.
