Self-consistent Thomas-Fermi Approximation for Equation of State at Subnuclear Densities

TL;DR

This paper develops a self-consistent Thomas-Fermi approximation method within relativistic mean-field theory to accurately model non-uniform nuclear matter at subnuclear densities, improving upon previous parameterized approaches.

Contribution

It introduces a self-consistent approach for the Thomas-Fermi approximation, providing more accurate nucleon distributions compared to traditional parameterized models.

Findings

The self-consistent method yields different nucleon distributions than previous models.

Comparison shows improved accuracy in the equation of state at subnuclear densities.

Results enhance understanding of nuclear matter in astrophysical contexts.

Abstract

The self-consistent Thomas-Fermi approximation is an essential method for studying the non-uniform nuclear matter with relativistic mean-field theory. In this method, the nucleon distribution in the Wigner-Seitz cell is obtained self-consistently. We make a detailed comparison between the present results and previous calculations in the Thomas-Fermi approximation with a parameterized nucleon distribution that has been adopted in the widely used Shen equation of state.