Roles of isoscalar hyperons in probing the density dependence of the nuclear symmetry energy

Abstract

The role of the isoscalar hyperon Lambda in probing the density dependence of the nuclear symmetry energy is studied in multi-Lambda hypernuclei, hyperon-rich matter and neutron stars in relativistic models. Relationships between the properties of three types of objects and the neutron thickness in 208Pb are established with respect to the isoscalar-isovector coupling that modifies the density dependence of the symmetry energy. The exotic isotopes far from the neutron drip line can be stabilized by filling in considerable Lambda hyperons. The difference of the binding energy of multi-Lambda hypernuclei from different models is attributed to different symmetry energies. The isovector potential together with the neutron thickness in multi-Lambda hypernuclei investigated is very sensitive to the isoscalar-isovector coupling. The large sensitivity of the Lambda hyperon fraction to the isoscalar-isovector coupling occurs at about 2-3 rho_0 in beta equilibrated hyperon-rich matter. In neutron stars with hyperonization, an on-off effect with respect to the isoscalar-isovector coupling exists for the neutron star radius.