Neutron star crust in Voigt approximation: general symmetry of the stress-strain tensor and an universal estimate for the effective shear modulus

TL;DR

This paper derives a universal and exact estimate for the effective shear modulus of neutron star crust modeled as a Coulomb solid, revealing a symmetry in the stress-strain tensor that applies broadly to similar materials.

Contribution

It demonstrates a new symmetry in the Coulomb stress-strain tensor and provides a universal estimate for the shear modulus applicable to various Coulomb solids.

Findings

The Coulomb part of the stress-strain tensor has an additional symmetry: contraction B_{ijil}=0.

The effective shear modulus equals -2/15 of the Coulomb energy density at zero deformation.

A simple universal estimate for the shear modulus is proposed based on ion species and densities.

Abstract

I discuss elastic properties of neutron star crust in the framework of static Coulomb solid model when atomic nuclei are treated as non-vibrating point charges; electron screening is neglected. The results are also applicable for solidified white dwarf cores and other materials, which can be modeled as Coulomb solids (dusty plasma, trapped ions, etc.). I demonstrate that the Coulomb part of the stress-strain tensor has additional symmetry: contraction $B_{ijil}=0$. It does not depend on the structure (crystalline or amorphous) and composition. I show as a result of this symmetry the effective (Voigt averaged) shear modulus of the polycrystalline or amorphous matter to be equal to $-2/15$ of the Coulomb (Madelung) energy density at undeformed state. This result is general and exact within the model applied. Since the linear mixing rule and the ion sphere model are used, I can suggest a simple universal estimate for the effective shear modulus: $\sum_Z 0.12\, n_Z Z^{5/3}e^2 /a_\mathrm{e}$. Here summation is taken over ion species, $n_Z$ is number density of ions with charge $Ze$. Finally $a_\mathrm{e}=(4 \pi n_\mathrm{e}/3)^{-1/3}$ is electron sphere radius. Quasineutrality condition $n_\mathrm{e}=\sum_Z Z n_Z$ is assumed.