$\Lambda\Lambda$ Interaction in a Nuclear Density Functional Theory and Hyperon Puzzle of the Neutron Star

TL;DR

This paper develops a Skyrme-type potential for $\Lambda$ hyperon interactions, fits it to experimental data, and explores its implications for neutron star properties, addressing the hyperon puzzle.

Contribution

It introduces eight new parameter sets for $\Lambda\Lambda$ interactions and demonstrates their impact on neutron star maximum mass.

Findings

Eight $\Lambda\Lambda$ interaction sets fit experimental data within 5%.

The p-wave $\Lambda\Lambda$ interaction stiffens the neutron star equation of state.

Neutron star maximum mass can reach or exceed 2 solar masses.

Abstract

A Skyrme-type effective potential is determined to describe the interaction between $\Lambda$ hyperons in nuclear medium. Experimental data of the binding energies of the double-$\Lambda$ ($\Lambda\Lambda$) nuclei with mass numbers $A=10$--$13$ are used to fit the parameters of the $\Lambda\Lambda$ interaction. As a result of the fitting, we obtain eight different sets of the $\Lambda\Lambda$ interaction parameters, which reproduces the input data within 5\% deviation from the experimental data on average. The eight $\Lambda\Lambda$ interactions are plugged in the calculation of the heavier $\Lambda\Lambda$ nuclei and the neutron star equation of state to explore the issue of hyperon puzzle. We found that the $\Lambda\Lambda$ interaction, specifically, p-wave interaction makes the equation of state stiff enough that the maximum mass of the neutron star can be as large as, or above $2\;M_\odot$.