Systematic analysis of symmetry energy effects in the neutron star crust properties

Abstract

The functional form of the nuclear symmetry energy in the whole range of densities relevant for the neutron stars is still unknown. Discrepancies concern both the low as well as the high density behaviour of this function. By use of Bezier curves three different families of the symmetry energy shapes, relevant for different density range were introduced. Their consequences for the crustal properties of neutron stars are presented.