Abstract

LI, Bao-An; CHEN, Lie-Wen; KO, Che Ming  and  STEINER, A.W.. Constraining properties of neutron stars with heavy-ion reactions. Rev. mex. fis. [online]. 2006, vol.52, suppl.4, pp.56-61. ISSN 0035-001X.

Nuclear reactions induced by stable and/or radioactive neutron-rich nuclei provide the opportunity to pin down the equation of state of neutron-rich matter, especially the density (ρ) dependence of its isospin-dependent part, i.e., the nuclear symmetry energy E_sym. A conservative constraint, 32(ρ/ρ₀)^0.7 < E_sym(ρ) < 32 (ρ /ρ₀)^1.1, around the nuclear matter saturation density ρ₀ has recently been obtained from the isospin diffusion data in intermediate energy heavy-ion collisions. We review this exciting result and discuss its consequences and implications on nuclear effective interactions, radii and cooling mechanisms of neutron stars.

Keywords : Neutron stars; nuclear reaction models; equation of state.