Plasticity of Neutron Star Crusts
New simulations reveal a previously unobserved plastic flow regime in neutron star crusts, with implications for astrophysical phenomena.
Researchers have utilized first-principles molecular dynamics simulations to investigate the deformation and fracture of neutron star crusts.
The study identified a new regime of steady plastic flow that occurs beyond the breaking point, independent of the initial crystal structure, particularly at slower strain rates.
This discovery of universal post-break plasticity could have significant implications for understanding magnetar bursts and flares, especially if broken crusts can re-anneal into larger crystal structures.
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