Binary Neutron Stars in General Relativity: Quasi-Equilibrium Models

T. W. Baumgarte, G. B. Cook, M. A. Scheel, S. L. Shapiro, S. A. Teukolsky

Published 1997-04-08Version 1

We perform fully relativistic calculations of binary neutron stars in quasi-equilibrium circular orbits. We integrate Einstein's equations together with the relativistic equation of hydrostatic equilibrium to solve the initial value problem for equal-mass binaries of arbitrary separation. We construct sequences of constant rest mass and identify the innermost stable circular orbit and its angular velocity. We find that the quasi-equilibrium maximum allowed mass of a neutron star in a close binary is slightly larger than in isolation.