Bag-model nuclear equation of state in the Wigner-Seitz approximation.

Abstract

The nuclear equation of state is calculated using the soliton bag model and the Wigner-Seitz approximation for baglike states on a lattice. Since the Wigner-Seitz treatment averages over lattice structure, it is more realistic for a fluid like nuclear matter than is a periodic crystal model. A crucial feature of the model presented here is the manner of filling the Bloch band of independent particle states: We argue for a dilute filling of the entire band. Quark wave functions sigma field configurations, and energies are calculated as a function of baryon density. The energies are only qualitatively similar to semiempirical nuclear energies. Within the context of this crude model, we find a first-order phase transition corresponding to a nuclear matter phase which sets in at about six times normal density and a plasma phase at roughly 12 times normal nuclear density.