Neutron star properties in density-dependent relativistic Hartree-Fock theory

Understand

With the equations of state provided by the newly developed density dependent relativistic Hartree-Fock (DDRHF) theory for hadronic matter, the properties of the static and $\beta$-equilibrium neutron stars without hyperons are studied for the first time, and compared to the predictions of the relativistic mean field (RMF) models and recent observational data.

• The influences of Fock terms on properties of asymmetric nuclear matter at high densities are discussed in details.
• Because of the significant contributions from the $\sigma$- and $\omega$-exchange terms to the symmetry energy, large proton fractions in neutron stars are predicted by the DDRHF calculations, which strongly affect the cooling process of the star.
• The critical mass about 1.45 $M_\odot$, close to the limit 1.5 $M_\odot$ determined by the modern soft X-ray data analysis, is obtained by DDRHF with the effective interactions PKO2 and PKO3 for the occurrence of direct Urca process in neutron stars.