Low density expansion and isospin dependence of nuclear energy functional: comparison between relativistic and Skyrme models

In the present work we take the non relativistic limit of relativistic models and compare the obtained functionals with the usual Skyrme parametrization. Relativistic models with both constant couplings and with density dependent couplings are considered. While some models present very good results already at the lowest order in the density, models with non-linear terms only reproduce the energy functional if higher order terms are taken into account in the expansion.Comment: 16 pages,6 figures,5 table

Instabilities in asymmetric nuclear matter

The existence of phase transitions from liquid to gas phases in asymmetric nuclear matter (ANM) is related with the instability regions which are limited by the spinodals. In this work we investigate the instabilities in ANM described within relativistic mean field hadron models, both with constant and density dependent couplings at zero and finite temperatures. In calculating the proton and neutron chemical potentials we have used an expansion in terms of Bessel functions that is convenient at low densities. The role of the isovector scalar $\delta$-meson is also investigated in the framework of relativistic mean field models and density dependent hadronic models. It is shown that the main differences occur at finite temperature and large isospin asymmetry close to the boundary of the instability regions.Comment: 13 pages, 5 figures; to appear in Phys. Rev.

Light clusters and the pasta phase

The effects of including light clusters in nuclear matter at low densities are investigated within four different parametrizations of relativistic models at finite temperature. Both homogeneous and inhomogeneous matter (pasta phase) are described for neutral nuclear matter with fixed proton fractions. We discuss the effect of the density dependence of the symmetry energy, the temperature and the proton fraction on the non-homogeneous matter forming the inner crust of proto-neutron stars. It is shown that the number of nucleons in the clusters, the cluster proton fraction and the sizes of the Wigner Seitz cell and of the cluster are very sensitive to the density dependence of the symmetry energy.Comment: 14 pages, 14 figures; Accepted for publication in Phys. Rev.

Nontrivial temporal scaling in a Galilean stick-slip dynamics

We examine the stick-slip fluctuating response of a rough massive non-rotating cylinder moving on a rough inclined groove which is submitted to weak external perturbations and which is maintained well below the angle of repose. The experiments presented here, which are reminiscent of the Galileo's works with rolling objects on inclines, have brought in the last years important new insights into the friction between surfaces in relative motion and are of relevance for earthquakes, differing from classical block-spring models by the mechanism of energy input in the system. Robust nontrivial temporal scaling laws appearing in the dynamics of this system are reported, and it is shown that the time-support where dissipation occurs approaches a statistical fractal set with a fixed value of dimension. The distribution of periods of inactivity in the intermittent motion of the cylinder is also studied and found to be closely related to the lacunarity of a random version of the classic triadic Cantor set on the line.Comment: 7 pages including 6 figure

Granular cooling of hard needles

We have developed a kinetic theory of hard needles undergoing binary collisions with loss of energy due to normal and tangential restitution. In addition, we have simulated many particle systems of granular hard needles. The theory, based on the assumption of a homogeneous cooling state, predicts that granular cooling of the needles proceeds in two stages: An exponential decay of the initial configuration to a state where translational and rotational energies take on a time independent ratio (not necessarily unity), followed by an algebraic decay of the total kinetic energy $\sim t^{-2}$. The simulations support the theory very well for low and moderate densities. For higher densities, we have observed the onset of the formation of clusters and shear bands.Comment: 7 pages, 8 figures; major changes, extended versio

Chaotic behavior in a Z_2 x Z_2 field theory

We investigate the presence of chaos in a system of two real scalar fields with discrete Z_2 x Z_2 symmetry. The potential that identify the system is defined with a real parameter r and presents distinct features for r>0 and for r<0. For static field configurations, the system supports two topological sectors for r>0, and only one for r<0. Under the assumption of spatially homogeneous fields, the system exhibts chaotic behavior almost everywhere in parameter space. In particular a more complex dynamics appears for r>0; in this case chaos can decrease for increasing energy, a fact that is absent for r<0.Comment: Revtex, 13 pages, no figures. Version with figures in Int. J. Mod. Phys. A14 (1999) 496