This volume contains well written articles in the field of hadron physics and hadronic matter pertaining to neutron stars. In the recent years, an effective field theory called Nuclear Effective Field Theory has been constructed from Quantum Chromodynamics, the fundamental theory of strong interaction, to provide a systematic approach to hardon physics and few-nucleon systems. Neutron stars are unique in the universe, providing an opportunity to study different phases of extremely dense hadronic matter. The subject of neutron stars has developed into a strongly interdisciplinary field connecting nuclear physics, particle physics and astrophysics. The articles in this volume discuss recent developments in both of the above topics starting with a pedagogical introduction. This book will be useful to graduate students, as well as researchers and teachers in the field of nuclear physics, particle physics and astrophysics.

Preface / An Introduction to Chiral Perturbation Theory / Nuclear Forces from Chiral Effective Field Theory / Pion Reactions on Two-Nucleon Systems / Applications of Effective Field Theory in Nuclear Physics / Neutron Star Structure with Hyperons and Quarks / Towards a Chiral Effective Field Theory of Nuclear Matter / Kaons and Antikaons in Dense Hadronic Matter / Equation of State with Short Range Correlations / Strangeness in Nucleon / Fusion of Hadrons and Multi-quark Objects / Experimental Studies of n-Nucleus Interaction and Search of n-Nucleus Bound States / Role of Antikaon Condensation in r-Mode Instability / Neutron Star Properties with Accurately Calibrated Field Theoretical Model / Effect of Hyperons on Nuclear Equation of State and Neutron Star Structure / Two Step Conversion of Neutron Star to Strange Star / Model Study of Speed of Sound and Susceptibilities in Quark-Gluon Plasma / Collapse/Flattening of Nucleonic Bags in Ultra-Strong Magnetic Field / Probing the Response of Quark Gluon Plasma / Dark Matter: Possible Candidates and Direct Detection.

Graduate Students, Researchers & Teachers in the field of nuclear physics, particle physics and astrophysics