Finite size effects and the mixed quark-hadron phase in neutron stars

Abstract

We demonstrate that the form and location (not the size or spacing) of the energetically preferred geometrical structure of the crystalline quark-hadron mixed phase in a neutron star is very sensitive to finite size terms beyond the surface term. We consider two independent approaches of including further finite size terms, namely the multiple reflection expansion of the bag model and an effective surface tension description. Thus care should be taken in any model requiring detailed knowledge of these crystalline structures.