We first explore the liquid-gas mixed phase in a bulk calculation, where twophases coexist without the geometrical structures. In the case of symmetricnuclear matter, the system behaves congruently, and the Maxwell constructionbecomes relevant. For asymmetric nuclear matter, on the other hand, the phaseequilibrium is no more attained by the Maxwell construction since the liquidand gas phases are non-congruent; the particle fractions become completelydifferent with each other. One of the origins of such non-congruence isattributed to the large symmetry energy. Subsequently we explore the charge-neutral nuclear matter with electrons byfully applying the Gibbs conditions to figure out the geometrical (pasta)structures in the liquid-gas mixed phase. We emphasize the effects of thesurface tension and the Coulomb interaction on the pasta structures. We alsodiscuss the thermal effects on the pasta structures.
展开▼
