On the limiting mass of a dense stellar matter

Abstract

In the present work, we have derived an expression M L ⋍ 4.738 M ⊙ ( M ⊙ = 1.985 × 10 33 g = mass of the Sun) giving the “limiting” value of the mass of a dense stellar matter, by introducing the concept of nuclear size correction in the theory of relativistic Thomas Fermi model for a compressed atom. We find that M L ⋍ 5.1571 M Ch and =3.2750(M O ) Prev [ M Ch and ( M O) Prev denote respectively the Chandrasekhar and author's “limiting” masses]. By making a comparative study with those of previous results it has been shown that our present treatment would provide satisfactory results for the density ranges from ϱ ≳ 10 8 up to ϱ ⋍ 10 11 g/ cm 3 . Other results of cognate interest in the non-relativistic regime 10 3 < ϱ ≲ 10 5 (without the nuclear size effect) are presented. The astrophysical implications of the results are mentioned.