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Jurgen Schaffner-Bielich

Publications and source records attributed to Jurgen Schaffner-Bielich.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Is a soft nuclear equation of state extracted from heavy-ion data incompatible with pulsar data?

We discuss the recent constraints on the nuclear equation of state from pulsar mass measurements and from subthreshold production of kaons in heavy-ion collisions. While recent pulsar data points towards a hard equation of state, the analysis of the heavy-ion data allows only for soft equations of state. We resolve the apparent contradiction by considering the different density regimes probed. We argue that future measurements of global properties of low-mass pulsars can serve as an excellent cross-check to heavy-ion data.

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Mass, radius, and composition of the outer crust of nonaccreting cold neutron stars

The properties and composition of the outer crust of nonaccreting cold neutron stars are studied by applying the model of Baym, Pethick, and Sutherland, which was extended by including higher order corrections of the atomic binding, screening, exchange and zero-point energy. The most recent experimental nuclear data from the atomic mass table of Audi, Wapstra, and Thibault from 2003 is used. Extrapolation to the drip line is utilized by various state-of-the-art theoretical nuclear models (finite range droplet, relativistic nuclear field and non-relativistic Skyrme Hartree-Fock parameterizations). The different nuclear models are compared with respect to the mass and radius of the outer crust for different neutron star configurations and the nuclear compositions of the outer crust.

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The order, shape and critical point for the quark-gluon plasma phase transition

The order, shape and critical point for the phase transition between the hadronic matter and quark-gluon plasma are considered in a thermodynamical consistent approach. The hadronic phase is taken as Van der Waals gas of all the known hadronic mass spectrum particles $m_H\le 2.0$ GeV as well as Hagedorn bubbles which correspond hadronic states with mass spectrum $m_H> 2.0$ GeV. The density of states for Hagedorn bubbles is derived by calculating the microcanonical ensemble for a bag of quarks and gluons with specific internal color-flavor symmetry. The mixed-grand and microcanonical ensembles are derived for massless and massive flavors. We find Hagedorn bubbles are strongly suppressed in the dilute hadronic matter and they appear just below the line of the phase transition. The order of the phase transition depends on Hagedorn bubble's internal color-flavor structure and the volume fluctuation as well. On the other hand, the highly compressed hadronic matter undergoes a smooth phase transition from the gas of known mass spectrum hadrons to another one dominated by Hagedorn bubbles with specific internal color-flavor structure before the phase transition to quark-gluon plasma takes place at last. The phase transition is found a first order for the intermediate and large chemical potentials. The existence of the tri-critical point depends on the modification of the bubble's internal structure specified by a phenomenological parameter $γ\proptoμ_B$ in the medium.

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Strange Exotic States and Compact Stars

We discuss the possible appearance of strange exotic multi-quark states in the interior of neutron stars and signals for the existence of strange quark matter in the core of compact stars. We show how the in-medium properties of possible pentaquark states are constrained by pulsar mass measurements. The possibility of generating the observed large pulsar kick velocities by asymmetric emission of neutrinos from strange quark matter in magnetic fields is outlined.

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Compact stars made of fermionic dark matter

Compact stars consisting of fermions with arbitrary masses and interaction strengths are studied by solving the structure equation of general relativity, the Tolman-Oppenheimer-Volkoff equations. Scaling solutions are derived for a free and an interacting Fermi gas and tested by numerical calculations. We demonstrate that there is a unique mass-radius relation for compact stars made of free fermions which is independent of the fermion mass. For sufficiently strong interactions, the maximum stable mass of compact stars and its radius are controlled by the parameter of the interaction, both increasing linearly with the interaction strength. The mass-radius relation for compact stars made of strongly interacting fermions shows that the radius remains approximately constant for a wide range of compact star masses.

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The outer crust of non-accreting cold neutron stars

The properties of the outer crust of non-accreting cold neutron stars are studied by using modern nuclear data and theoretical mass tables updating in particular the classic work of Baym, Pethick and Sutherland. Experimental data from the atomic mass table from Audi, Wapstra, and Thibault of 2003 is used and a thorough comparison of many modern theoretical nuclear models, relativistic and non-relativistic ones, is performed for the first time. In addition, the influences of pairing and deformation are investigated. State-of-the-art theoretical nuclear mass tables are compared in order to check their differences concerning the neutron dripline, magic neutron numbers, the equation of state, and the sequence of neutron-rich nuclei up to the dripline in the outer crust of non-accreting cold neutron stars.

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Phase Transitions In Compact Stars

We report on a three--month research project for undergraduate students about the mass-radius relation of compact stars. The equation of state used is constrained at low densities by well-established equations of state of the nuclear phase (the solid crust) and then extended to higher densities with a phenomenological, parametric approach. A first order phase transition from hadronic matter to a phase of higher density, assumed to be quark matter is studied in addition. The mass-radius relation is obtained by solving numerically the Tolman-Oppenheimer-Volkoff equation. We derive some conditions for the existence of a third family of compact stars on the form of the equation of state and its different global properties.

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Phase Transition to Hyperon Matter in Neutron Stars

Recent progress in the understanding of the high density phase of neutron stars advances the view that a substantial fraction of the matter consists of hyperons. The possible impacts of a highly attractive interaction between hyperons on the properties of compact stars are investigated. We find that a hadronic equation of state with hyperons allows for a first order phase transition to hyperonic matter. The corresponding hyperon stars can have rather small radii of R=8 km.

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Scaling properties of the transverse mass spectra

Motivated from the formation of an initial state of gluon-saturated matter, we discuss scaling relations for the transverse mass spectra at BNL's Relativistic Heavy-Ion Collider (RHIC). We show on linear plots, that the transverse mass spectra for various hadrons can be described by an universal function. The transverse mass spectra for different centralities can be rescaled into each other. Finally, we demonstrate that scaling is also present in proton-antiproton collider data and compare it to scaling at RHIC.

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Generalized scaling of the transverse mass spectrum at the Relativistic Heavy-Ion Collider

We argue that the transverse mass spectra of identified hadrons as measured in gold-gold collisions at BNL's Relativistic Heavy-Ion Collider (RHIC) follows a generalized scaling law. Such a scaling behavior is motivated by the idea of a Color Glass Condensate, or more generally, saturation of the gluon density. In particular, we describe the shapes of transverse mass spectra as a function of centrality. This scaling of the transverse mass spectrum is shown to be consistent with previously observed scaling of multiplicity with centrality.

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The Role of Strangeness in Astrophysics - an Odyssey through Strange Phases

The equation of state for compact stars is reviewed with special emphasis on the role of strange hadrons, strange dibaryons and strange quark matter. Implications for the properties of compact stars are presented. The importance of neutron star data to constrain the properties of hypothetic particles and the possible existence of exotic phases in dense matter is outlined. We also discuss the growing interplay between astrophysics and heavy-ion physics.

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New Class of Compact Stars at High Density

We discuss the equation of state for cold, dense quark matter in perturbation theory, and how it might match onto that of hadronic matter. Certain choices of the renormalization scale correspond to a strongly first order chiral transition, and may generate a new class of small and very dense quark stars. The results for the mass-radius relation are compatible with the recent determination of the mass and the radius of an isolated neutron star by Pons et al.

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Intrinsic Broadening of the Transverse Momentum Spectra in Ultrarelativistic Heavy-Ion Collisions?

The mean transverse momentum in high energy nuclear collisions is studied. The formation of a Color Glass Condensate results in an increase of the square of the mean transverse momentum with the charged multiplicity per unit rapidity and unit transverse area. This prediction is in agreement with the presently available data, in particular with the heavy-ion data, lending support to the notion that the transverse momentum spectra in ultrarelativistic collisions of heavy nuclei might be controlled by intrinsic transverse momentum broadening and not by hadronic rescattering, i.e. transverse flow.

hep-ph↗

Kaon Condensation in Neutron Stars

We discuss the kaon-nucleon interaction and its consequences for the change of the properties of the kaon in the medium. The onset of kaon condensation in neutron stars under various scenarios as well its effects for neutron star properties are reviewed.

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Small, Dense Quark Stars from Perturbative QCD

As a model for nonideal behavior in the equation of state of QCD at high density, we consider cold quark matter in perturbation theory. To second order in the strong coupling constant, $α_s$, the results depend sensitively on the choice of the renormalization mass scale. Certain choices of this scale correspond to a strongly first order chiral transition, and generate quark stars with maximum masses and radii approximately half that of ordinary neutron stars. At the center of these stars, quarks are essentially massless.

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Strange Dibaryons in Neutron Stars and in Heavy-Ion Collisions

The formation of dibaryons with strangeness are discussed for the interior of neutron stars and for central relativistic heavy-ion collisions. We derive limits for the properties of H-dibaryons from pulsar data. Signals for the formation of possible bound states with hyperons at BNL's Relativistic Heavy-Ion Collider (RHIC) are investigated by studying their weak decay patterns and production rates.

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Surface Tension between Kaon Condensate and Normal Nuclear Matter Phase

We calculate for the first time the surface tension and curvature coefficient of a first order phase transition between two possible phases of cold nuclear matter, a normal nuclear matter phase in equilibrium with a kaon condensed phase, at densities a few times the saturation density. We find the surface tension is proportional to the difference in energy density between the two phases squared. Furthermore, we show the consequences for the geometrical structures of the mixed phase region in a neutron star.

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