Beyond the dense matter equation of state: The multi-physics picture of neutron star mergers

Neutron star mergers are ideal laboratories for exploring matter under the most extreme conditions known in the Universe. Current and future multi-messenger observations promise deep insights into the multi-scale gravitational, nuclear and plasma physics probed in the merger. A full understanding of neutron star merger dynamics and their observable signatures requires going beyond the equation of state of dense matter, including neutrino dynamics and magnetic fields.

In this talk, I will review and present recent progress on modeling the intricate multi-scale multi-physics dynamics in neutron star mergers from the inspiral, merger and post-merger regimes, and highlight challenges and breakthroughs in our understanding of these exciting multi-messenger sources.