Revised density of magnetized nuclear matter at the neutron drip line

Abstract

We study the onset of the neutron drip in high-density matter in the presence of a magnetic field. It has been found that, for systems having only protons and electrons, in the presence of a magnetic field $\ensuremath{\gtrsim}{10}^{15}$ G, neutronization occurs at a density that is at least an order of magnitude higher compared to that in a nonmagnetic system. In a system with heavier ions, the effect of the magnetic field, however, starts arising at a much higher field, $\ensuremath{\gtrsim}{10}^{17}$ G. These results may have important implications for high-magnetic-field neutron stars and white dwarfs and, in general, in nuclear astrophysics when the system is embedded within a strong magnetic field.