Dynamical properties of the crust of neutron stars derived from realistic NN interactions

TL;DR

This paper investigates the dynamical properties of neutron star crusts by calculating neutrino mean free paths in inhomogeneous nuclear matter, considering complex pasta phases using advanced nuclear models.

Contribution

It introduces a microscopic approach combining shell model, Skyrme-Hartree-Fock, and relativistic mean-field models to analyze neutrino interactions in neutron star crusts.

Findings

Neutrino mean free paths are affected by pasta phase structures.

Microscopic nuclear models provide detailed insights into crust composition.

Pasta phase geometries influence neutrino propagation significantly.

Abstract

The mean free path of neutrino in charged and neutral current reactions is calculated for inhomogeneous nuclear matter which is expected to appear in the crust of neutron stars. The relevant cross section depends on Fermi and Gamow-Teller strength distributions, which are derived from the large-scale shell model calculations within the self-consistent Skyrme-Hartree-Fock approach and in a relativistic mean-field model. The inhomogeneous nuclear matter is described in terms of cubic Wigner-Seitz cells, which allows for a microscopic description of the structures in the so-called pasta phase of nuclear configurations and provides a smooth transition to the limit of homogeneous matter. The influence of pasta phase, its microscopical structure and geometrical shapes on neutrino propagation is considered.