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Title: Cold neutrons trapped in external fields.

Abstract

The properties of inhomogeneous neutron matter are crucial to the physics of neutron-rich nuclei and the crust of neutron stars. Advances in computational techniques now allow us to accurately determine the binding energies and densities of many neutrons interacting via realistic microscopic interactions and confined in external fields. We perform calculations for different external fields and across several shells to place important constraints on inhomogeneous neutron matter, and hence the large isospin limit of the nuclear energy density functionals that are used to predict properties of heavy nuclei and neutron star crusts. We find important differences between microscopic calculations and current density functionals; in particular, the isovector gradient terms are significantly more repulsive than in traditional models, and the spin-orbit and pairing forces are comparatively weaker.

Authors:
; ;  [1]
  1. Physics
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Argonne National Lab. (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE Office of Science (SC)
OSTI Identifier:
1014824
Report Number(s):
ANL/PHY/JA-68300
Journal ID: 0031-9007; TRN: US1102768
DOE Contract Number:  
DE-AC02-06CH11357
Resource Type:
Journal Article
Journal Name:
Phys. Rev. Lett.
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 106; Journal Issue: 1 ; Jan. 5, 2011
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
ENGLISH
Subject:
72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS; 29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY AND ECONOMY; 71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSICS; COLD NEUTRONS; CURRENT DENSITY; FUNCTIONALS; HEAVY NUCLEI; ISOSPIN; ISOVECTORS; NEUTRON STARS; NEUTRONS; NUCLEAR ENERGY; NUCLEAR MATTER; NUCLEI; PHYSICS

Citation Formats

Gandolfi, S, Carlson, J, Pieper, S C, and LANL). Cold neutrons trapped in external fields.. United States: N. p., 2011. Web. doi:10.1103/PhysRevLett.106.012501.
Gandolfi, S, Carlson, J, Pieper, S C, & LANL). Cold neutrons trapped in external fields.. United States. https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.106.012501
Gandolfi, S, Carlson, J, Pieper, S C, and LANL). 2011. "Cold neutrons trapped in external fields.". United States. https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.106.012501.
@article{osti_1014824,
title = {Cold neutrons trapped in external fields.},
author = {Gandolfi, S and Carlson, J and Pieper, S C and LANL)},
abstractNote = {The properties of inhomogeneous neutron matter are crucial to the physics of neutron-rich nuclei and the crust of neutron stars. Advances in computational techniques now allow us to accurately determine the binding energies and densities of many neutrons interacting via realistic microscopic interactions and confined in external fields. We perform calculations for different external fields and across several shells to place important constraints on inhomogeneous neutron matter, and hence the large isospin limit of the nuclear energy density functionals that are used to predict properties of heavy nuclei and neutron star crusts. We find important differences between microscopic calculations and current density functionals; in particular, the isovector gradient terms are significantly more repulsive than in traditional models, and the spin-orbit and pairing forces are comparatively weaker.},
doi = {10.1103/PhysRevLett.106.012501},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1014824}, journal = {Phys. Rev. Lett.},
number = 1 ; Jan. 5, 2011,
volume = 106,
place = {United States},
year = {Wed Jan 05 00:00:00 EST 2011},
month = {Wed Jan 05 00:00:00 EST 2011}
}