Quantum calculation of vortices in the inner crust of neutron stars

Abstract

The self-consistent mean-field quantum mechanical solution of a vortex and a nucleus immersed in a sea of free neutrons, a scenario representative of the inner crust of neutron stars, is presented for the first time. Because of quantal size effects the phase space for vortices inside the nucleus is essentially zero, so that the vortex core opens up and surrounds the nucleus. As a consequence, pinned configurations (in which a vortex becomes anchored to the nucleus) are favored at low and high densities in the inner crust. This result is qualitatively different from that obtained in all previous models, which predict pinning at intermediate densities.