Symmetry restoration in the vicinity of neutron stars with a nonminimal coupling

TL;DR

This paper introduces a scalarized neutron star model with a nonminimal coupling that enables symmetry restoration inside stars, leading to observable differences in mass and radius while remaining consistent with cosmological evolution.

Contribution

It presents a novel scalarized neutron star model with nonminimal coupling that avoids cosmological instability and can account for dark matter.

Findings

Scalarized NS solutions with significant field differences from vacuum.

Sizable corrections to NS mass, radius, and gravitational force.

Cosmological evolution remains consistent with observations.

Abstract

We propose a new model of scalarized neutron stars (NSs) realized by a self-interacting scalar field $\phi$ nonminimally coupled to the Ricci scalar $R$ of the form $F(\phi)R$. The scalar field has a self-interacting potential and sits at its vacuum expectation value $\phi_v$ far away from the source. Inside the NS, the dominance of a positive nonminimal coupling over a negative mass squared of the potential leads to a symmetry restoration with the central field value $\phi_c$ close to $0$. This allows the existence of scalarized NS solutions connecting $\phi_v$ with $\phi_c$ whose difference is significant, whereas the field is located in the vicinity of $\phi=\phi_v$ for weak gravitational stars. The Arnowitt-Deser-Misner mass and radius of NSs as well as the gravitational force around the NS surface can receive sizable corrections from the scalar hair, while satisfying local gravity constraints in the Solar system. Unlike the original scenario of spontaneous scalarization induced by a negative nonminimal coupling, the catastrophic instability of cosmological solutions can be avoided. We also study the cosmological dynamics from the inflationary epoch to today and show that the scalar field $\phi$ finally approaches the asymptotic value $\phi_v$ without spoiling a successful cosmological evolution. After $\phi$ starts to oscillate about the potential minimum, the same field can also be the source for cold dark matter.