Saturated symmetric nuclear matter in strong magnetic fields

Abstract

Strongly magnetized symmetric nuclear matter is investigated within the context of effective baryon-meson exchange models. The magnetic field is coupled to the charge as well as the dipole moment of the baryons by including the appropriate terms in the Lagrangian density. The saturation density of magnetized, symmetric nuclear matter was calculated for magnetic fields of the order of 10^17 gauss. For the calculated range of saturation densities the binding energy, symmetry energy coefficient and compressibility of nuclear matter were also calculated. It is found that with an increasing magnetic field the saturation density increases, while the system becomes less bound. Furthermore, the depopulation of proton Landau levels leaves a distinct fluctuating imprint on the symmetry energy coefficient and compressibility. The calculations were also performed for increased values of the baryon magnetic dipole moment. By increasing the dipole moment strength the saturation density is found to decrease, but the system becomes more tightly bound while the fluctuations in the symmetry energy coefficient and compressibility persist.