Influence of the interactions of scalar mesons on the behavior of the symmetry energy

TL;DR

This paper investigates how scalar meson interactions influence the symmetry energy in nuclear matter using a relativistic mean field model, revealing effects on neutron star properties and phase transitions.

Contribution

It demonstrates that the crossing term between delta and sigma mesons can tune the symmetry energy slope without compromising neutron star mass predictions.

Findings

Delta meson stiffens the symmetry energy.

Delta-sigma crossing term reduces the symmetry energy slope.

Phase transition occurs in neutron star core at plausible symmetry energy slopes.

Abstract

Symmetry energy behavior of scalar mesons interactions is analyzed within the framework of the standard relativistic mean field model. Whereas the presence of the $\delta$ meson itself makes the symmetry energy stiffer, the crossing term $\delta\textrm{-}\sigma$ allows its slope to decrease to the suggested experimental value. Moreover, such controlling of the symmetry energy does not significantly affect the stiffness of the equation of state and acceptable neutron star masses result. Interestingly, for the most plausible value of the symmetry energy slope, the phase transition occurs in the neutron star core.