Neutron star scalarization with Gauss-Bonnet and Ricci scalar couplings

TL;DR

This paper explores how combining Ricci scalar and Gauss-Bonnet couplings influences neutron star scalarization, revealing new effects on their properties and scalar charge.

Contribution

It introduces the combined Ricci and Gauss-Bonnet coupling model for neutron star scalarization, highlighting effects overlooked in previous studies.

Findings

Combined couplings alter scalarized neutron star properties.

The domain of existence for scalarized stars is affected.

Scalar charge varies with different coupling combinations.

Abstract

Spontaneous scalarization of neutron stars has been extensively studied in the Damour and Esposito-Far\`ese model, in which a scalar field couples to the Ricci scalar or, equivalently, to the trace of the energy-momentum tensor. However, scalarization of both black holes and neutron stars may also be triggered by a coupling of the scalar field to the Gauss-Bonnet invariant. The case of the Gauss-Bonnet coupling has also received a lot of attention lately, but the synergy of the Ricci and Gauss-Bonnet couplings has been overlooked for neutron stars. Here, we show that combining both couplings has interesting effects on the properties of scalarized neutron stars, such as affecting their domain of existence or the amount of scalar charge they carry.