Exotic phases in hot neutron-proton-electron (NPE) matter

摘要

In the present paper, we study exotic phases in hot neutron-proton-electron (NPE) matter. It is shown that for densities lower than the normal nuclear matter inhomogeneous (exotic or pasta) phases may be present. This is believed to occur due to the so-called frustration mechanism, i.e., a close competition between the surface and Coulomb energy which, in certain cases, favors exotic phases instead of homogeneous matter. These structures may have important effects in the cooling of neutron stars, for example, affecting the neutrino opacity.