Cubic Neutrons
Abstract
The neutron is largely spherical and incompressible in atomic nuclei. These two properties are however challenged in the extreme pressure environment of a neutron star. Our variational computation within the Cornell model of Coulomb gauge QCD shows that the neutron (and also the Δ3/2 baryon) can adopt cubic symmetry at an energy cost of about 150 MeV. Balancing this with the free energy gained by tighter neutron packing, we expose the possible softening of the equation of state of neutron matter.
- Publication:
-
Modern Physics Letters A
- Pub Date:
- 2012
- DOI:
- 10.1142/S0217732312500332
- arXiv:
- arXiv:1108.1859
- Bibcode:
- 2012MPLA...2750033L
- Keywords:
-
- Hadron deformation;
- neutron stars;
- equation of state of neutron matter;
- 26.60.-c;
- 14.20.Dh;
- Nuclear matter aspects of neutron stars;
- Protons and neutrons;
- Nuclear Theory;
- Astrophysics - High Energy Astrophysical Phenomena;
- High Energy Physics - Phenomenology
- E-Print:
- 3 pages, 9 figures