Analysis of the neutron matter equation of state and the symmetry energy up to fourth order of chiral effective field theory

Abstract

We present predictions for the neutron matter equation of state, from leading to fourth order of chiral effective field theory, using recently developed, accurate chiral nucleon-nucleon potentials. We find the impact of subleading three-neutron forces to be mild and attractive. We also show order-by-order predictions for the symmetry energy, and discuss its density dependence in relation to empirical constraints.

Comments: 9 pages, 7 figures