Current challenges in the physics of white dwarf stars

SCIENTIFIC MOTIVATION  

This conference brings together the communities of white dwarf modelers and dense matter physicists to foster new collaborations and identify astrophysical problems that can be addressed with advanced physical theories, simulations, and experiments. White dwarf stars represent the end stage of the life of the vast majority of stars, including our Sun.  These common stars are the sites of exotic physical conditions that are not encountered in other stars.   Matter in such extreme conditions is beginning to be probed experimentally. Historically, theoretical  work in dense plasma physics has found fertile applications in white dwarf models.  The astrophysics of  white dwarfs is a mature field, yet modern observations challenge many aspects of the models in regimes  ranging from the relatively low-density gas at the observable surface through the deeper regions of partial  ionization to the dense core.  In many instances, modern physical theories, simulation  methods and experimental techniques can be fruitfully applied to drive the field to a new level of  understanding and resolve outstanding astrophysical problems.    

Topics to be covered include:         

•         Astrophysics of white dwarf stars
•         Physical processes in white dwarf stars
•         Radiative opacities in dense gases and plasmas        
•         Equation of state and transport coefficients
•         Magnetic fields
•         Crystallization and phase diagrams
•         Models and simulations of warm dense plasmas
•         Experimental measurements

IMPORTANT DEADLINES

Registration ($600 regular / $300 students / $800 late): 23 Feb 2024

Hotel reservation at conference rate: 23 Feb 2024

Abstract submission (invited talks and posters): 23 Feb 2024

Student/postdoc travel grant applications: 8 Dec 2023

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WORKSHOP FORMAT 

The workshop is intended to foster exchanges between different communities with the goal of identifying  problems ripe for investigation. The program will consist of a limited number of invited overview talks on key topics in white dwarf astrophysics, matched with presentations of the relevant current  physics methods. Scheduled group discussions will explore selected topics in greater details. All participants are encouraged to contribute posters on their research. Contributed posters will be up during the entire workshop and there will be ample time for discussions.   We encourage the participation of young researchers, students and postdocs.  A limited number of travel grants will be  available to assist students and postdocs.  

WORKSHOP ORGANIZERS

• Didier Saumon (Los Alamos National Laboratory, USA, co-chair)
• Jerome Daligault (Los Alamos National Laboratory, USA, co-chair)
• Simon Blouin (U. Victoria, Canada)
• Stephanie Hansen (Sandia National Laboratories, USA)
• Amy Lazicki (Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, USA)
• Nicole Reindl (U. Heidelberg, Germany)