Phase transition structure of scalarized neutron stars: the effect of rotation and linear coupling

TL;DR

This paper investigates the phase transition structure of scalarized neutron stars considering rotation and linear coupling, revealing complex solution spaces and the impact of rotation on transition mass thresholds.

Contribution

It extends the understanding of scalarization phase transitions by analyzing more general couplings and the effects of stellar rotation, introducing a systematic Landau theory approach.

Findings

Linear coupling creates a complex solution space for scalarization.

Rotation shifts the phase transition to higher stellar masses.

Landau theory helps identify scalarized solution branches overlooked in numerical methods.

Abstract

There has been a recent revival in understanding the spontaneous scalarization phenomenon in scalar-tensor gravity as a phase transition. Using the tools of the Landau theory, we now know that first-order transitions where scalarization occurs in a discontinuous manner is more prominent than what had been considered in the literature, and this might lead to novel observation channels. However, the examples so far have been restricted to specific quadratic scalar coupling terms and spherically symmetric stars. Here we explore the phase transition structure of scalarization for more general couplings, considering linear as well as quadratic terms in the conformal scaling factor of the theory. Moreover, we also investigate the effect of rotation on the scalarization phase transition. Both of these considerations are natural choices since the coupling in a scalar-tensor theory can appear at all orders, and astrophysical neutron stars commonly have angular momentum. The introduction of linear coupling leads to a complex solution space which is harder to explore. However, we demonstrate that the Landau model of scalarization enables us to systematically find the branches of scalarized solutions that are commonly overlooked in numerical searches, providing a novel tool. On the other hand, the main effect of stellar rotation is shifting the stellar masses at which the phase transition occurs to higher values, but the qualitative picture remains similar to what happens under spherical symmetry.