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We combine equation of state of dense matter up to twice nuclear saturation density ($n_{\rm sat}=0.16\, \text{fm}^{-3}$) obtained using chiral effective field theory ($��$EFT), and recent observations of neutron stars to gain insights about the high-density matter encountered in their cores. A key element in our study is the recent Bayesian analysis of correlated EFT truncation errors based on order-by-order calculations up to next-to-next-to-next-to-leading order in the $��$EFT expansion. We refine the bounds on the maximum mass imposed by causality at high densities, and provide stringent limits on the maximum and minimum radii of $\sim1.4\,{\rm M}_{\odot}$ and $\sim2.0\,{\rm M}_{\odot}$ stars. Including $��$EFT predictions from $n_{\rm sat}$ to $2\,n_{\rm sat}$ reduces the permitted ranges of the radius of a $1.4\,{\rm M}_{\odot}$ star, $R_{1.4}$, by $\sim3.5\, \text{km}$. If observations indicate $R_{1.4}1/2$ for densities above $2\,n_{\rm sat}$, or that $��$EFT breaks down below $2\,n_{\rm sat}$. We also comment on the nature of the secondary compact object in GW190814 with mass $\simeq 2.6\,{\rm M}_{\odot}$, and discuss the implications of massive neutron stars $>2.1 \,{\rm M}_{\odot}\,(2.6\,{\rm M}_{\odot})$ in future radio and gravitational-wave searches. Some form of strongly interacting matter with $c^2_{s}>0.35\, (0.55)$ must be realized in the cores of such massive neutron stars. In the absence of phase transitions below $2\,n_{\rm sat}$, the small tidal deformability inferred from GW170817 lends support for the relatively small pressure predicted by $��$EFT for the baryon density $n_{\rm B}$ in the range $1-2\,n_{\rm sat}$. Together they imply that the rapid stiffening required to support a high maximum mass should occur only when $n_{\rm B} \gtrsim 1.5-1.8\,n_{\rm sat}$., 26 pages, 17 figures; accepted for publication in PRC, appendices and references updated

We present a thermodynamically consistent method by which equations of state based on nonrelativistic potential models can be modified so that they respect causality at high densities, both at zero and finite temperature (entropy). We illustrate the application of the method using the high density phase parametrization of the well known APR model in its pure neutron matter configuration as an example. We also show that, for models with only contact interactions, the adiabatic speed of sound is independent of the temperature in the limit of very large temperature. This feature is approximately valid for models with finite-range interactions as well, insofar as the temperature dependence they introduce to the Landau effective mass is weak. In addition, our study reveals that in first principle nonrelativistic models of hot and dense matter, contributions from higher than two-body interactions must be screened at high density to preserve causality., 12 pages, 12 figures

Shear viscosity \eta and entropy density s of a hadronic resonance gas are calculated using the Chapman-Enskog and virial expansion methods using the K-matrix parametrization of hadronic cross sections which preserves the unitarity of the T -matrix. In the \pi-K-N-\eta- mixture considered, a total of 57 resonances up to 2 GeV were included. Comparisons are also made to results with other hadronic cross sections such as the Breit-Wigner (BW) and, where available, experimental phase shift parametrizations. Hadronic interactions forming resonances are shown to decrease the shear viscosity and increase the entropy density leading to a substantial reduction of \eta/s as the QCD phase transition temperature is approached., Comment: 16 pages and 14 figures

Nuclear matter at high density requires a relativistic description. Recent two-loop calculations in local quantum field theory models at finite density yield disastrously large contributions. We argue that the composite structure of nucleons ought to soften these contributions. This argument is supported by a model calculation in which we find very strong reductions in the Lamb shift and vacuum fluctuation contributions. At nuclear matter densities and beyond, the total-loop result is perturbatively small in comparison to the one-loop calculation.

Models that are successful in hadronic spectroscopy, viz., the nonrelativistic quark model, bag models, and QCD sum rules, are used to shed light on the Okamoto-Nolen-Schiffer anomaly in nuclear physics.

Invariant mass distributions of the hadronic decay products from resonances formed in relativistic heavy-ion collision (RHIC) experiments are investigated with a view to disentangle the effects of thermal motion and the phase space of decay products from those of intrinsic changes in the structure of resonances at the freeze-out conditions. Analytic results of peak mass shifts for the cases of both equal and unequal mass decay products are derived. The shift is expressed in terms of the peak mass and width of the vacuum or medium-modified spectral functions and temperature. Examples of expected shifts in meson (e.g., $\ensuremath{\rho},$ $\ensuremath{\omega},$ and $\ensuremath{\sigma})$ and baryon (e.g., $\ensuremath{\Delta})$ resonances that are helpful to interpret recent RHIC measurements at BNL are provided. Although significant downward mass shifts are caused by widened widths of the $\ensuremath{\rho}$ meson in medium, a downward shift of at least 50 MeV in its intrinsic mass is required to account for the reported downward shift of 60--70 MeV in the peak of the $\ensuremath{\rho}$ invariant mass distribution. An observed downward shift from the vacuum peak value of the $\ensuremath{\Delta}$ distinctively signals a significant downward shift in its intrinsic peak mass, since unlike for the $\ensuremath{\rho}$ meson, phase space functions produce an upward shift for the $\ensuremath{\Delta}$ isobar.

We address the role of fluctuations in strongly interacting matter during the dense stages of a heavy-ion collision through its electromagnetic emission. Fluctuations of isospin charge are considered in a thermal system at rest as well as in a moving hadronic fluid at fixed proper time within a finite bin of pseudo-rapidity. In the former case, we use general thermodynamic relations to establish a connection between fluctuations and the space-like screening limit of the retarded photon self-energy, which directly relates to the emissivities of dileptons and photons. Effects of hadronic interactions are highlighted through two illustrative calculations. In the latter case, we show that a finite time scale $\tau$ inherent in the evolution of a heavy-ion collision implies that equilibrium fluctuations involve both space-like and time-like components of the photon self-energy in the system. Our study of non-thermal effects, explored here through a stochastic treatment, shows that an early and large fluctuation in isospin survives only if it is accompanied by a large temperature fluctuation at freeze-out, an unlikely scenario in hadronic phases with large heat capacity. We point out prospects for the future which include: (1) A determination of the Debye mass of the system at the dilute freeze-out stage of a heavy-ion collision, and (2) A delineation of the role of charge fluctuations during the dense stages of the collision through a study of electromagnetic emissivities., Comment: 12 pages ReVTeX incl. 4 ps-figs

Photon production cross sections in intermediate energy heavy-ion reactions are calculated using detailed balance. The model gives substantial photon yields and reproduces qualitatively the experimental observations. A possible influence of the ..delta..-isobar degree of freedom on the high energy photon yield is pointed out.

Prompt emission of nucleons is observed in time-dependent Hartree-Fock calculations of $^{16}\mathrm{O}$+$^{93}\mathrm{Nb}$ collisions. These nucleons are emitted in the forward direction in about 2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}10$^{\ensuremath{-}22}\mathrm{s}$ after the contact of the ions, with a mean velocity somewhat less than the beam velocity. At $E(\mathrm{lab})=204$ MeV, the estimated total nucleon cross section is \ensuremath{\sim}230 mb. For central collisions a lower energy threshold of 130 MeV is established. Force dependence of the results is studied in detail.

The asymmetry dependence of the incompressibility at fixed density, the density at fixed pressure, and the isobaric incompressibility are studied for neutron-rich nuclear matter at arbitrary densities. Simple expressions valid to all orders in density and to second order in asymmetry are derived involving the density derivatives of the Landau parameters of the symmetric system. Illustrative calculations are performed with different equations of state.

Nuclear matter overlap integrals between two nuclei are calculated for density distributions generated by folding a short range function over arbitrarily shaped sharp surfaces of the two nuclei. Explicit formulas are derived for two choices of the folding function, viz., a Gaussian and a Yukawa function. An approximation scheme is given to facilitate a quick evaluation of the overlap integrals and is found to give results which are in good agreement with the exact results over a wide range of masses and spheroidal deformations of the two nuclei.

It is shown that no definite conclusions can be drawn regarding the magnitude of energy dissipation in fission during the descent from the saddle point, by a comparison of the calculated deformation and interaction energies of fission fragments near scission, with the experimental fragment excitation and kinetic energies. This is contrary to the conclusions drawn by Schultheis and Schultheis on the basis of a similar analysis. The reasons for this discrepancy are also discussed.