Covariant Density Functional Theory in Nuclear Physics and Astrophysics

Abstract

How does subatomic matter organize itself? Neutron stars are cosmic laboratories uniquely poised to answer this fundamental question that lies at the heart of nuclear science. Newly commissioned rare isotope facilities, telescopes operating across the entire electromagnetic spectrum, and ever more sensitive gravitational wave detectors will probe the properties of neutron-rich matter with unprecedented precision over an enormous range of densities. Yet, a coordinated effort between observation, experiment, and theoretical research is of paramount importance for realizing the full potential of these investments. Theoretical nuclear physics provides valuable insights into the properties of neutron-rich matter in regimes that are not presently accessible to experiment or observation. In particular, nuclear density functional theory is likely the only tractable framework that can bridge the entire nuclear landscape by connecting finite nuclei to neutron stars. This compelling connection is the main scope of the present review.

arXiv comment23 pages, 5 figures. When citing this paper, please use the following: Yang J, Piekarewicz J. Covariant Density Functional Theory in Nuclear Physics and Astrophysics. Annual Review of Nuclear and Particle Science Volume 70: Submitted. DOI: 10.1146/annurev-nucl-101918-023608

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• Implications of PREX-2 on the electric dipole polarizability of neutron rich nuclei
• Bayesian inference of nuclear symmetry energy from measured and imagined neutron skin thickness in ${}^{116,118,120,122,124,130,132}$Sn, ${}^{208}$Pb, and ${}^{48}$Ca
• Constraining the Properties of the Thermonuclear Burst Oscillation Source XTE J1814-338 Through Pulse Profile Modelling
• Constraints on the phase transition and nuclear symmetry parameters from PSR $\mathrm{J}0740+6620$ and multimessenger data of other neutron stars
• Symmetry energy effect on the secondary component of GW190814 as a neutron star
• X-PSI Parameter Recovery for Temperature Map Configurations Inspired by PSR J0030+0451
• Bayesian constraints on covariant density functional equations of state of compact stars with new NICER mass-radius measurements
• The Dirac oscillator: an alternative basis for nuclear structure calculations
• Pulse Profile Modeling of Thermonuclear Burst Oscillations I: The Effect of Neglecting Variability
• Fermionic Quantum Turbulence: Pushing the Limits of High-Performance Computing
• Bayesian inferences on covariant density functionals from multimessenger astrophysical data: Nucleonic models
• Pulse Profile Modelling of Thermonuclear Burst Oscillations II: Handling variability
• Rotating Neutron Stars with the Relativistic Ab Initio Calculations
• On the possible existence of a soft dipole mode in 8He
• Bayesian inferences on covariant density functionals from multimessenger astrophysical data: Influences of parametrizations of density dependent couplings
• Dynamical scheme for computing the mass parameter of a system in a medium
• Insights into the equation of state of neutron-rich matter since GW170817