Nuclear symmetry energy and core-crust transition in neutron stars: a critical study

Understand

The slope of the nuclear symmetry energy at saturation density $L$ is pointed out as a crucial quantity to determine the mass and width of neutron-star crusts.

• This letter clarifies the relation between $L$ and the core-crust transition.
• We confirm that the transition density is soundly correlated with $L$ despite differences between models, and we propose a clear understanding of this correlation based on a generalised liquid drop model.
• Using a large number of nuclear models, we evaluate the dispersion affecting the correlation between the transition pressure $P_t$ and $L$.