Nuclear Chemical and Mechanical Instability and the Liquid-Gas Phase Transition in Nuclei

TL;DR

This paper investigates the thermodynamic properties and phase transitions of nuclei using a mean field model with Skryme interaction, considering various effects including velocity dependence, to understand nuclear instabilities and liquid-gas phase behavior.

Contribution

It introduces a comprehensive analysis of nuclear instabilities and phase transitions incorporating velocity-dependent forces within a mean field framework.

Findings

Velocity dependence alters coexistence and instability curves.

Nuclear systems exhibit mechanical and chemical instabilities.

Liquid-gas phase transition characteristics are mapped across proton fractions.

Abstract

The thermodynamic properties of nuclei are studied in a mean field model using a Skryme interaction. Properties of two component systems are investigated over the complete range of proton fraction from a system of pure neutrons to a system of only protons. Besides volume, symmetry, and Coulomb effects we also include momentum or velocity dependent forces. Applications of the results developed are then given which include nuclear mechanical and chemical instability and an associated liquid/gas phase transition in two component systems. The velocity dependence leads to further changes in the coexistence curve and nuclear mechanical and chemical instability curves.