Observable Signatures of Quarkyonic Phase in Neutron Stars
Authors
Probit J Kalita
Tuhin Malik
Tianqi Zhao
Bharat Kumar
James M. Lattimer
Abstract
In this letter, we perform Bayesian inference on quarkyonic equation-of-state models and find they remain viable under all current astrophysical constraints. Crucially, we identify a novel observational diagnostic: the slope of the M-R relation at fixed mass versus the central sound speed. Quarkyonic stars occupy a distinct region (high central $c_s^2$ and positive $\frac{dR}{dM}$) from purely nucleonic stars. This could be tested by future radius measurements of two stars of different mass. Our results indicate that if a neutron star falls in the quarkyonic region, it would be strong evidence for quarkyonic matter in its core.
