Magnetic susceptibility and magnetization properties of asymmetric nuclear matter under a strong magnetic field

Abstract

We study the effect of a strong magnetic field on the proton and neutron spin polarization and magnetic susceptibility of asymmetric nuclear matter within a relativistic mean-field approach. It is shown that magnetic fields $B\sim 10^{16}-10^{17}$ G have already noticeable effects on the range of densities of interest for the study of the crust of a neutron star. Although the proton susceptibility is larger for weaker fields, the neutron susceptibility becomes of the same order or even larger for small proton fractions and subsaturation densities for $B>10^{16}$ G. We expect that neutron superfluidity in the crust will be affected by the presence of magnetic fields.

Comments: 16 pages, 10 figures, revised and accepted version for publication in Physical Review C