Closing a spontaneous-scalarization window with binary pulsars

Benefitting from the unequaled precision of pulsar timing technique, binary pulsars are important testbeds gravity theories, providing some tightest bounds on alternative theories gravity. One class well-motivated scalar-tensor gravity, predict large deviations general relativity for neutron stars through a nonperturbative phenomenon known as spontaneous scalarization. This effect, which cannot be tested in Solar System, can now tightly constrained using latest results set 7 (PSRs J0348+0432, J0737$-$3039A, J1012+5307, J1738+0333, J1909$-$3744, J1913+1102, and J2222$-$0137), especially with updated parameters PSRs J2222$-$0137. Using new results, we constrain star's effective scalar coupling, describes how strongly couple to field, level $\left|\alpha_{\rm A}\right| \lesssim 6 \times 10^{-3}$ Bayesian analysis. Our analysis is thorough, sense that our apply all star masses reasonable equations state dense matters, full relevant parameter space. It excludes possibility scalarization stars, at least within theories.