THE ROLE OF ANTIKAON CONDENSATES IN THE EQUATION OF STATE OF NEUTRON STARS

Abstract

We study the consequences of the presence of a negative electric charge condensate of antikaons in neutron stars using an effective model with derivative couplings. In our formalism, nucleons interact through the exchange of σ, ω and ϱ mesons, in the presence of electrons and muons, to accomplish electric charge neutrality and beta equilibrium. The phase transition to the antikaon condensate was implemented through the Gibbs conditions combined with the mean-field approximation, giving rise to a mixed phase of coexistence between nucleon matter and the antikaon condensate. Assuming neutrino-free matter, we observe a rapid decrease of the electron chemical potential produced by the gradual substitution of electrons by kaons to accomplish electric charge neutrality. The exotic composition of matter in neutron star including antikaon condensation and nucleons can yield a maximum mass of about M ns ~ 1.76 M ⊙.