A statistical model for a complete supernova equation of state

A statistical model for the equation of state and the composition of supernova matter is presented. It consists of an ensemble of nuclei and interacting nucleons in nuclear statistical equilibrium. A relativistic mean field model is applied for the nucleons. The masses of the nuclei are taken from e...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Hempel, Matthias (Author) , Schaffner-Bielich, Jürgen (Author)
Format: Article (Journal)
Language:English
Published: [15 June 2010]
In: Nuclear physics. A, Nuclear and hadronic physics
Year: 2010, Volume: 837, Issue: 3, Pages: 210-254
ISSN:1873-1554
DOI:10.1016/j.nuclphysa.2010.02.010
Online Access:Verlag, lizenzpflichtig, Volltext: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nuclphysa.2010.02.010
Verlag, lizenzpflichtig, Volltext: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0375947410003325
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Author Notes:Matthias Hempel, Jürgen Schaffner-Bielich (Institut für Theoretische Physik, Ruprecht-Karls-Universität, Heidelberg)
Description
Summary:A statistical model for the equation of state and the composition of supernova matter is presented. It consists of an ensemble of nuclei and interacting nucleons in nuclear statistical equilibrium. A relativistic mean field model is applied for the nucleons. The masses of the nuclei are taken from experimental data and from nuclear structure calculations. Excluded volume effects are implemented in a thermodynamic consistent way so that the transition to uniform nuclear matter can be described. Thus the model can be applied at all densities relevant for supernova simulations, i.e. ρ=105-1015 g/cm3, and it is possible to calculate a complete supernova equation of state table. The importance of the nuclear distributions for the composition is shown and the role of shell effects is investigated. We find a significant contribution of light clusters which is only poorly represented by α-particles alone. The equation of state is systematically compared to two commonly used models for supernova matter which are based on the single nucleus approximation. In general only small differences are found. These are most pronounced around the (low-density) liquid-gas phase transition line where the distribution of light and intermediate clusters has an important effect.
Item Description:Gesehen am 19.04.2023
Physical Description:Online Resource
ISSN:1873-1554
DOI:10.1016/j.nuclphysa.2010.02.010