Low Density Neutron Star Matter with Quantum Molecular Dynamics: The Role of Vector Interactions

Understand

The effect of isospin-dependent nuclear forces on the inner crust of neutron stars is modeled within the framework of Quantum Molecular Dynamics (QMD).

• To successfully control the density dependence of the symmetry energy of neutron-star matter below nuclear saturation density, a coupling potential between the $\omega$ and $\rho$ meson fields is introduced.
• This approach is inspired by the baryon density and isospin density-dependent repulsive Skyrme force of asymmetric nuclear matter.
• In isospin-asymmetric nuclear matter, the system shows nucleation, as nucleons are arranged into shapes resembling nuclear pasta.