Simulations of Thermal Fluctuations in Nuclear Pasta

We report on recent molecular dynamics simulations studying thermal fluctuations in nuclear pasta in the inner crusts of neutron stars. Large scale simulations of `lasagna' at a range of temperatures have resolved power law fluctuations in surface curvature and a first-order melting phase transition to a disordered phase. We also resolve topological fluctuations in the pasta at temperatures slightly below the melting temperature which may have implications for annealing pasta as the neutron star cools following a supernova. These results may constrain the maximum size of `domains' in nuclear pasta and may have implications for the transport properties and shear moduli of the inner crust.