Dense matter equation of state and phase transitions from a generalized Skyrme model

Abstract

Skyrmion crystals are the field configurations which minimize the energy per baryon in the infinitely large topological charge sector of the Skyrme model, at least for sufficiently high density. They are, therefore, an important tool to describe the ground state of cold, symmetric nuclear matter at high density regimes. In this work, we analyze different crystalline phases and the existence of phase transitions between them within the generalized Skyrme model, with the ultimate goal of describing symmetric nuclear matter in a wide regime of densities. Furthermore, we propose a new energy-minimizing phase for densities lower than the nuclear saturation point (${n}_{0}$) that also presents a good qualitative behavior in the zero density limit, thereby improving the description of strongly interacting matter in the region $n<{n}_{0}$.