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arXiv · 2605.26228

Donutization Inside Neutron Stars: Shell-Localized Scalar Fields

Hao-Jui Kuan·Alan Tsz-Lok Lam·Jacquelyn Noronha-Hostler·Nicolás Yunes
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Abstract

Heavy scalar fields ($m_\phi\gtrsim10^{-9}$ eV) in scalar-tensor gravity are expected to be hidden from neutron-star observations because their Compton wavelength is sub-stellar. We show that neutron stars can nevertheless scalarize by forming a shell-localized profile, suppressed at their center and exterior but peaked in their interior. This \emph{donutization} reshapes the effective equation of state, making hadronic stars mimic quark-star mass-radius behavior or hybrid-star behavior with split stable branches, and breaks the $I$--$Q$ relation, while remaining hidden from binary pulsar observations.

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Hao-Jui Kuan, Alan Tsz-Lok Lam, Jacquelyn Noronha-Hostler, Nicolás Yunes. 2026-05-25. Donutization Inside Neutron Stars: Shell-Localized Scalar Fields. https://arxiv.org/abs/2605.26228

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