Use of binary radio pulsars with ultra-compact companions to understand basic physics Seminar

Binary radio pulsars with other neutron stars or black holes as companions can serve as excellent laboratories to test various aspects of basic physics. In this talk, I will first try to seek an answer to the puzzle of non-discovery of any neutron star-black hole binary so far. Then, I will discuss potential problems we might face while timing such pulsars after the discovery is made. The problem can arise mostly due to the spin-orbit coupling effect from the spin of the black hole. I will also explore whether such a neutron star-black hole binary is really superior to falsify general relativity and establish alternative theories of gravity. Finally, I will briefly discuss how careful study of radio pulsars in neutron star-neutron star binaries can help to constrain the dense matter equation of state.