Neutrino Interactions in Octet Baryon Matter

Neutrino processes caused by the neutral current are studied in octet baryon matter. Previous confusion about the baryonic matrix elements of the neutral current interaction is excluded, and a correct table for them improved by consideration of the proton spin problem is presented instead.Comment: 6 page

Finite-size effects at the hadron-quark transition and heavy hybrid stars

We study the role of finite-size effects at the hadron-quark phase transition in a new hybrid equation of state constructed from an ab-initio Br\"uckner-Hartree-Fock equation of state with the realistic Bonn-B potential for the hadronic phase and a covariant non-local Nambu--Jona-Lasinio model for the quark phase. We construct static hybrid star sequences and find that our model can support stable hybrid stars with an onset of quark matter below $2 M_\odot$ and a maximum mass above $2.17 M_\odot$ in agreement with recent observations. If the finite-size effects are taken into account the core is composed of pure quark matter. Provided that the quark vector channel interaction is small, and the finite size effects are taken into account, quark matter appears at densities 2-3 times the nuclear saturation density. In that case the proton fraction in the hadronic phase remains below the value required by the onset of the direct URCA process, so that the early onset of quark matter shall affect on the rapid cooling of the star.Comment: version to match the one published in PR

Multi-antikaonic nuclei in the relativistic mean-field theory

Properties of multi-antikaonic nuclei (MKN), where several numbers of $K^-$ mesons are bound, are studied in the relativistic mean-field model, combined with chiral dynamics for kaonic part of the thermodynamic potential. The density profiles for nucleons and $K^-$ mesons, the single particle energy of the $K^-$ mesons, and binding energy of the MKN are obtained. The effects of the $\bar K-\bar K$ interactions on these quantities are discussed in comparison with other meson ($\sigma$, $\omega$, and $\rho$)-exchange models. It is shown that the $\bar K-\bar K$ interactions originate from two contributions: One is the contact interaction between antikaons inherent in chiral symmetry, and the other is the one generated through coupling between the $K^-$ and meson mean fields. Both effects of the $\bar K-\bar K$ repulsive interactions become large on the ground state properties of the MKN as the number of the embedded $K^-$ mesons increases. A relation between the multi-antikaonic nuclei and kaon condensation in infinite and uniform matter is mentioned.Comment: 27 pages, 13 figure

Finite size effects on kaonic pasta structures

Non-uniform structures of mixed phases at the first-order phase transition to charged kaon condensation are studied using a density functional theory within the relativistic mean field model. Including electric field effects and applying the Gibbs conditions in a proper way, we numerically determine density profiles of nucleons, electrons and condensed kaons. Importance of charge screening effects is elucidated and thereby we show that the Maxwell construction is effectively justified. Surface effect is also studied to figure out its effect on the density profiles

Confronting Neutron Star Cooling Theories with New Observations

With the successful launch of Chandra and XMM/Newton X-ray space missions combined with the lower-energy band observations, we are in the position where careful comparison of neutron star cooling theories with observations will make it possible to distinguish among various competing theories. For instance, the latest theoretical and observational developments already exclude both nucleon and kaon direct URCA cooling. In this way we can now have realistic hope for determining various important properties, such as the composition, degree of superfluidity, the equation of state and steller radius. These developments should help us obtain better insight into the properties of dense matter.Comment: 11 pages, 1 figur

Neutrino Opacities in Neutron Stars with Kaon Condensates

The neutrino mean free paths in hot neutron-star matter are obtained in the presence of kaon condensates. The kaon-induced neutrino absorption process, which is allowed only in the presence of kaon condensates, is considered for both nondegenerate and degenerate neutrinos. The neutrino mean free path due to this process is compared with that for the neutrino-nucleon scattering. While the mean free path for the kaon-induced neutrino absorption process is shown to be shorter than the ordinary two-nucleon absorption process by several orders of magnitude when temperature is not very high, the neutrino-nucleon scattering process has still a dominant contribution to the neutrino opacity. Thus, the kaon-induced neutrino absorption process has a minor effect on the thermal and dynamical evolution of protoneutron stars.Comment: 35 pages, 4 figure

Impact of crystalline orientation on Cu–Cu solid-state bonding behavior by molecular dynamics simulations

Tatsumi H., Kao C.R., Nishikawa H.. Impact of crystalline orientation on Cu–Cu solid-state bonding behavior by molecular dynamics simulations. Scientific Reports 13, 23030 (2023); https://doi.org/10.1038/S41598-023-50427-3.High-density electronics are hindered by the constraints of Sn-based solder joints, necessitating the exploration of Cu–Cu solid-state bonding. However, current bonding methods are expensive and time-consuming; therefore, understanding the Cu–Cu bonding mechanism is crucial for optimization. This study utilizes molecular dynamics (MD) simulation to elucidate the Cu–Cu solid-state bonding behavior, focusing on interfacial densification and diffusion phenomena. Furthermore, it highlights the influence of crystal orientation on the interfacial bonding behavior. To analyze the impact of crystal orientation, monocrystalline Cu slabs with a simplified periodic surface structure were employed to replicate surface roughness and subsequently bonded at a specific temperature. The results indicate the critical influence of crystalline orientations on the bonding process: identical orientations result in slower densification at the interface, whereas misoriented orientations significantly accelerate it. This effect, attributed to the grain boundary (GB) structures formed owing to misorientation, suggests a central role for GB diffusion in bonding progression. Diffusion coefficients calculated using the mean square displacement (MSD) confirmed these findings and exhibited significantly larger values for misoriented joints. Additionally, the simulations reveal an activation energy for GB diffusion that is lower than conventional values, highlighting the impact of the crystallographic orientation and voids at the bonding interface. Our research elucidates the role of crystalline orientation in diffusion phenomena at bonding interfaces, offering valuable implications for optimizing bonding-based manufacturing processes

Operational status of TAMA300 with the seismic attenuation system (SAS)

TAMA300 has been upgraded to improve the sensitivity at low frequencies after the last observation run in 2004. To avoid the noise caused by seismic activities, we installed a new seismic isolation system —- the TAMA seismic attenuation system (SAS). Four SAS towers for the test-mass mirrors were sequentially installed from 2005 to 2006. The recycled Fabry–Perot Michelson interferometer was successfully locked with the SAS. We confirmed the reduction of both length and angular fluctuations at frequencies higher than 1 Hz owing to the SAS