Dense Nuclear Matter in a Strong Magnetic Field

Abstract

We investigate in a relativistic Hartree theory the gross properties of cold symmetric nuclear matter and nuclear matter in beta equilibrium under the influence of strong magnetic fields. If the field strengths are above the critical values for electrons and protons, the respective phase spaces are strongly modified. This results in additional binding of the systems with distinctively softer equations of state compared to the field free cases. For magnetic field $\ensuremath{\sim}{10}^{20}$ G and beyond, the nuclear matter in beta equilibrium practically converts into a stable proton-rich matter.