A Modern View of the Equation of State in Nuclear and Neutron Star Matter

Background: We analyze several constraints on the nuclear equation of state (EOS) currently available from neutron star (NS) observations and laboratory experiments and study the existence of possible correlations among properties of nuclear matter at saturation density with NS observables. Methods: We use a set of different models that include several phenomenological EOSs based on Skyrme and relativistic mean field models as well as microscopic calculations based on different many-body approaches, i.e., the (Dirac–)Brueckner–Hartree–Fock theories, Quantum Monte Carlo techniques, and the variational method. Results: We find that almost all the models considered are compatible with the laboratory constraints of the nuclear matter properties as well as with the largest NS mass observed up to now, 2.14−0.09+0.10M⊙ for the object PSR J0740+6620, and with the upper limit of the maximum mass of about 2.3–2.5M⊙ deduced from the analysis of the GW170817 NS merger event. Conclusion: Our study shows that whereas no correlation exists between the tidal deformability and the value of the nuclear symmetry energy at saturation for any value of the NS mass, very weak correlations seem to exist with the derivative of the nuclear symmetry energy and with the nuclear incompressibility.

A Bayesian Analysis on Neutron Stars within Relativistic Mean Field Models

We present a Bayesian analysis on the equation of state of neutron stars based on a class of relativistic mean field models. The priors on the equation of state are related to the properties of nuclear matter at saturation and the posteriors are obtained through the Bayesian procedure by exploiting recent astrophysical constraints on the mass–radius relations of neutron stars. We find indications of a tension (within the adopted model) between the prior on the nuclear incompressibility and its posterior which in turn seems to suggest a possible phase transition at about twice saturation density to a phase where the nucleon effective mass is strongly reduced. A possible relation with the chiral phase transition in dense matter is also discussed.

A hybrid model of Skyrme- and Brueckner-type interactions for neutron star matter

We suggest a hybrid model for neutron star matter to discuss the hyperon puzzle inherent in the 2.0 M$_{\odot}$ of the neutron star. For the nucleon–nucleon ($NN$) interaction, we employ the Skyrme–Hartree–Fock approach based on various Skyrme interaction parameter sets, and take the Brueckner–Hartree–Fock approach for the interactions related to hyperons. For the many-body interactions including hyperons, we make use of the multi-pomeron-exchange model, whose parameters have been adjusted to the data deduced from various hypernuclei properties. For clear understanding of the physics in the hybrid model, we discuss fractional functions of related particles, symmetry energies, and chemical potentials in dense matter. Finally, we investigate the equations of state and mass–radius relation of neutron stars, and show that the hybrid model can properly describe the 2.0 M$_{\odot}$ neutron star mass data with the many-body interaction employed in the hybrid model. Recent tidal deformability data from the gravitational wave observation are also compared to our calculations, especially in terms of the neutron skin of $^{208}$Pb and nuclear incompressibility.