In scalar-tensor theories, spontaneous scalarization is a phase transitionthat can occur in ultra-dense environments such as neutron stars. The scalarfield develops a non-trivial configuration once the stars exceeds a compactnessthreshold. We recently pointed out that, if the scalar exhibits some additionalcoupling to matter, it could give rise to significantly different microphysicsin these environments. In this work we study, at the non-perturbative level, atoy model in which the photon is given a large mass when spontaneousscalarization occurs. Our results demonstrate clearly the effectiveness ofspontaneous scalarization as a Higgs-like mechanism in neutron stars.
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