Neutron-star mergers in scalar-tensor theories of gravity Seminar

We show that in scalar-tensor theories of gravity predicting the existence of spontaneously scalarized isolated neutron stars, a related phenomenon takes place in the late stages of the evolution of binary systems. As a result, in regions of the parameter space of these theories where constraints from both solar system experiments and binary-pulsar observations are satisfied, we show that neutron-star binaries may present marked differences from General Relativity in both the late-inspiral and merger phases. These strong-field effects are difficult to reproduce in General Relativity, even with an exotic equation of state, and may be relevant for Advanced LIGO/Virgo.