Symmetry energy at subnuclear densities deduced from nuclear masses

Abstract

We examine how nuclear masses are related to the density dependence of the symmetry energy. Using a macroscopic nuclear model we calculate nuclear masses in a way dependent on the equation of state of asymmetric nuclear matter. We find by comparison with empirical two-proton separation energies that a smaller symmetry energy at subnuclear densities, corresponding to a larger density symmetry coefficient L, is favored. This tendency, which is clearly seen for nuclei that are neutron-rich, nondeformed, and light, can be understood from the property of the surface symmetry energy in a compressible liquid-drop picture.

arXiv comment8 pages, 5 figures; Sec. II expanded

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• Symmetry energy of hot nuclei in the relativistic Thomas-Fermi approximation
• Symmetry energy, unstable nuclei, and neutron star crusts
• Effect of Wigner energy on the symmetry energy coefficient in nuclei
• Nuclear masses and the equation of state of nuclear matter
• On variational trial functions in the extended Thomas-Fermi method