Neutron star matter with hyperons: Bayesian comparison of nucleonic and SU(6)/SU(3) hyperonic models

Abstract

We investigate neutron star matter with hyperons within a density-dependent relativistic mean-field framework using Bayesian inference, considering three composition scenarios: purely nucleonic matter, hyperonic matter under SU(6) flavor symmetry, and hyperonic matter under SU(3) symmetry with free vector-sector parameters. The analysis incorporates constraints from empirical nuclear matter properties, theoretical inputs at low densities, and multimessenger observations of neutron stars. We find that the SU(6) scheme, grounded in the quark model and isospin counting rule, leads to a significantly softer equation of state. In contrast, the additional flexibility of the SU(3) framework enhances vector repulsion and yields a comparatively stiffer equation of state consistent with observational bounds across the explored parameter space; in particular, the posterior distributions favor values of the vector coupling ratio $α_v$ lower than the SU(6) limit $α_v = 1$. These differences are reflected in neutron star observables, including mass--radius relations, tidal deformabilities, direct Urca thresholds, and oscillation properties, all of which remain compatible with current constraints within the SU(3) scenario. We further examine structural signatures through the curvature of the mass--radius relation and find that, although hyperon-rich configurations can induce noticeable variations, such features depend sensitively on the stiffness of the equation of state and are therefore not universally robust indicators. Bayesian model comparison further shows that present constraints do not meaningfully discriminate between the purely nucleonic and SU(3) hyperonic scenarios, while providing positive, but not decisive, evidence against the more restrictive SU(6) framework.