Search arXivSearch

arXiv · nucl-th/0601038

Phases of Dense Quark Matter and the Structure of Compact Objects

Abstract

The presence of quark matter in neutron stars may affect several neutron star observables and the neutrino signal in core-collapse supernovae. These observables are sensitive to the phase of quark matter that is present in compact objects. We present the first calculation of the phase structure of dense quark matter which includes a six-fermion color-superconducting interaction and show that the effect of this term can destabilize the pairing interaction, favoring phases where fewer quarks are paired. In turn, this modification of the phase structure can modify the neutrino signal, the structure of the neutron star, and the long-term cooling. We also show that, contrary to the 20-year old paradigm of the surface structure of the "strange-quark stars", the surface of these objects may consist of nuggets of strange quark matter screened by the electron gas.

Explore related subjects

Keep this discovery

Explore connections, maps & timelines

BibTeXRIS

Andrew W. Steiner. 2006-01-11. Phases of Dense Quark Matter and the Structure of Compact Objects. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.2220434

Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.

KEEP EXPLORING

Related papers

Application of the Skyrme Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov Theory to WIMP-Nucleus Interactions in 40Ar

WIMP scattering from 40Ar is investigated using a self-consistent Skyrme Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov (HFB) approach. Nuclear form factors relevant to dark matter direct detection are calculated from the resulting one-body density matrix elements and compared with shell-model predictions. Good agreement is found for the spin-independent response, while significant differences are observed for the spin-orbit response due to variations in single-particle occupancies. The effects of particle-number projection are shown to be small for 40Ar. These results demonstrate the sensitivity of certain dark matter response channels to the underlying nuclear structure model and establish a framework for extending mean-field calculations to nuclei beyond the reach of large-scale shell-model studies.

nucl-th

Breakdown of the Plane-Wave Trojan Horse Analysis of the $^{12}\mathrm{C}+{}^{12}\mathrm{C}$ Fusion Reaction: Critical Role of Coulomb Distortions

Recently, a new Trojan Horse Method (THM) measurement of carbon-carbon fusion was reported by Li \textit{et al.} [Phys. Lett. B (2026) 140675]. The purpose of the present work is to demonstrate the breakdown of the plane-wave approximation used in the analysis of these data and the critical role of Coulomb distortions in the initial and final states. The reaction mechanism underlying the THM analysis of the $^{12}\mathrm{C}+{}^{12}\mathrm{C}$ fusion reaction using the $^{16}\mathrm{O}+{}^{12}\mathrm{C}\to α_s+α+{}^{20}\mathrm{Ne}$ reaction is investigated. Particular attention is paid to the spectator momentum distribution and to the dependence of the THM reaction amplitude on the relative carbon-carbon energy $E$. It is demonstrated that agreement with the measured spectator momentum distribution does not by itself validate the plane-wave approximation. Although the experimental momentum distribution can be reproduced, inclusion of Coulomb distortions in both the initial and final channels leads to an energy dependence of the THM amplitude that is completely different from the plane-wave result. Consequently, the energy dependence of the $^{12}\mathrm{C}+{}^{12}\mathrm{C}$ fusion cross section extracted from the THM data can be strongly distorted by the plane-wave treatment. It is concluded that the astrophysical factor extracted in the plane-wave analysis cannot be regarded as reliable and may lead to misleading conclusions concerning the low-energy $^{12}\mathrm{C}+{}^{12}\mathrm{C}$ fusion reaction.

nucl-th