Density Functional Calculations for the Neutron Star Matter at Subnormal Density

Abstract

The pasta phases of nuclear matter, whose existence is suggested at low density, may influence observable properties of neutron stars. In order to investigate properties of the neutron star matter, we calculate self-consistent solutions for the ground states of slab-like phase using the microscopic density functional theory with Bloch wave functions. The calculations are performed at each point of fixed average density and proton fraction (ρ, Y p ), varying the lattice constant of the unit cell. For small Y p values, the dripped neutrons emerge in the ground state, while the protons constitute the slab (crystallized) structure. The shell effect of protons affects the thickness of the slab nuclei.