Gianluca Israel (INAF-OA Roma) - Constraining the neutron star equation of state
using magnetar seismology

In the latest few years the study of X/Gamma-ray flashes, long bursts, and giant flares from
mangetars has opened new horizons in the field, through the study of the neutron star
structure, magnetic field properties and the physical mechanism(s) responsible for their
impulsive emission. The detection of QPOs during giant flares has impacted on the possibility
of constraining the NS equation of state. However, the paucity of these events (so far) makes
difficult to rely upon them for a systematic study. In this respect the less intense but more
frequent intermediate flares (IFs) seems to be a robust alternative. The study of intermediate
flares resulted an important tool for the study of a magnetically trapped fireball and on the
different species of photons (E-mode and O-mode polarized ones) responsible for the timing
and spectral properties of bursts. Among other results, an independent measurement of the
distances and of the magnetic field strengths of bursting magnetars has been inferred. LOFT,
with its capabilities, is expected to give a strong contribution in detecting both IFs and GFs
and, therefore, in constraining the NS EOS.