Recent progress on the accurate determination of the equation of state of neutron and nuclear matter

TL;DR

This paper reviews recent advances in accurately determining the equation of state of nuclear and neutron matter using Quantum Monte Carlo methods, focusing on density-dependent interactions, temperature effects, and hyperon interactions.

Contribution

It highlights the development of Quantum Monte Carlo calculations as the only ab-initio approach capable of large-scale, reliable estimates of the equation of state for nuclear matter.

Findings

Quantum Monte Carlo methods provide reliable estimates of the equation of state.

Introduction of density-dependent interactions improves modeling accuracy.

Studying hyperon effects advances understanding of dense matter.

Abstract

The problem of accurately determining the equation of state of nuclear and neutron matter at density near and beyond saturation is still an open challenge. In this paper we will review the most recent progress made by means of Quantum Monte Carlo calculations, which are at present the only ab-inito method capable to treat a sufficiently large number of particles to give meaningful estimates depending only on the choice of the nucleon-nucleon interaction. In particular, we will discuss the introduction of density-dependent interactions, the study of the temperature dependence of the equation of state, and the possibility of accurately studying the effect of the onset of hyperons by developing an accurate hyperon-nucleon and hyperon-nucleon-nucleon interaction.