Constraining the density dependence of the symmetry energy in the nuclear equation of state using heavy ion beams

الأصل · EN

The density dependence of the symmetry energy in the equation of state of asymmetric nuclear matter (N/Z > 1) is important for understanding the structure of systems as diverse as the atomic nuclei and neutron stars. Due to a proper lack of understanding of the basic nucleon-nucleon interaction for matters that are highly asymmetric and at non-normal nuclear density, this very important quantity has remained largely unconstrained. Recent studies using beams from the Cyclotron Institute of Texas A&M University, constraining the density dependence of the symmetry energy, is presented. A dependence of the form Esym(ρ) = C(ρ/ρₒ)γ, where C = 31.6 MeV and γ = 0.69, is obtained from the dynamical and statistical model analysis. Their implications to both astrophysical and nuclear physics studies are discussed.