On the maximum mass of hyperonic neutron stars

TL;DR

This paper uses advanced relativistic models incorporating quark structure to estimate the maximum mass of hyperonic neutron stars, concluding they cannot exceed about 1.66 solar masses.

Contribution

It introduces a consistent inclusion of both Hartree and Fock terms in relativistic hyperon matter models for the first time.

Findings

Maximum neutron star mass estimated at 1.6-1.66 solar masses

Relativistic models with quark structure are effective for dense core description

Inclusion of Hartree and Fock contributions improves model consistency

Abstract

Chiral Lagrangian and quark-meson coupling models of hyperon matter are used to estimate the maximum mass of neutron stars. Our relativistic calculations include, for the first time, both Hartree and Fock contributions in a consistent manner. Being related to the underlying quark structure of baryons, these models are considered to be good candidates for describing the dense core of neutron stars. Taking account of the known experimental constraints at saturation density, the equations of state deduced from these relativistic approaches cannot sustain a neutron star with a mass larger than 1.6-1.66 $M_\odot$.