Framework for phase transitions between the Maxwell and Gibbs constructions at finite temperature

The characteristics of the hadron-to-quark first-order phase transition differ depending on whether charge neutrality is locally or globally fulfilled. In $\ensuremath{\beta}$-equilibrated matter, these two possibilities correspond to the Maxwell and Gibbs constructions. Recently, we presented a new framework in which a continuously varying parameter allows one to describe a first-order phase transition in intermediate scenarios to the two extremes of fully local and fully global charge neutrality. In this work, we extend the previous framework to finite temperatures and out-of-$\ensuremath{\beta}$ equilibrium conditions, making it available for simulations of core-collapse supernovae and binary neutron star mergers. We investigate its impact on key thermodynamic quantities across a range of baryon densities, temperatures, and electron fractions. We find that when matter is not in $\ensuremath{\beta}$ equilibrium, the pressure in the mixed phase is not constant even for the case of fully local charge neutrality. Moreover, we compute the thermal index using three different approaches, demonstrating that the finite-temperature extension of an equation of state using a constant thermal index can be ill defined when applied to the mixed phase.

Authors

Institutions

Publication Details

Journal
Physical review. D/Physical review. D.
Published
2025-11-10
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1103/8l3m-tdlc
Primary Topic
Pulsars and Gravitational Waves Research
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00
Controls
|||
ALL TIME
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
article

Framework for phase transitions between the Maxwell and Gibbs constructions at finite temperature

Madappa Prakash, Mirco Guerrini, Tianqi Zhao, Sophia Han et al.
Physical review. D/Physical review. D.
Pulsars and Gravitational Waves Research
article

Framework for phase transitions between the Maxwell and Gibbs constructions at finite temperature

Madappa Prakash, Mirco Guerrini, Tianqi Zhao, Sophia Han, Constantinos Constantinou
article en

Abstract

The characteristics of the hadron-to-quark first-order phase transition differ depending on whether charge neutrality is locally or globally fulfilled. In $\ensuremath{\beta}$-equilibrated matter, these two possibilities correspond to the Maxwell and Gibbs constructions. Recently, we presented a new framework in which a continuously varying parameter allows one to describe a first-order phase transition in intermediate scenarios to the two extremes of fully local and fully global charge neutrality. In this work, we extend the previous framework to finite temperatures and out-of-$\ensuremath{\beta}$ equilibrium conditions, making it available for simulations of core-collapse supernovae and binary neutron star mergers. We investigate its impact on key thermodynamic quantities across a range of baryon densities, temperatures, and electron fractions. We find that when matter is not in $\ensuremath{\beta}$ equilibrium, the pressure in the mixed phase is not constant even for the case of fully local charge neutrality. Moreover, we compute the thermal index using three different approaches, demonstrating that the finite-temperature extension of an equation of state using a constant thermal index can be ill defined when applied to the mixed phase.

Physical review. D/Physical review. D.Vol. 112(9)
Shanghai Jiao Tong University (CN), University of Ferrara (IT), University of Washington (US), Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, Trento Institute for Fundamental Physics And Applications (IT), European Centre for Theoretical Studies in Nuclear Physics and Related Areas (IT), Ohio University (US), Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, Sezione di Ferrara (IT), University of California, Berkeley (US)
Openalex Percentile: Top 77%
Pulsars and Gravitational Waves Research
AI Navigator

Ask Laika to Summarize, Analyze, and Connect papers live on the map.

Summarize Papers & Methodologies

Extract key findings, datasets, and comparative methods across publications.

Benchmark Rankings & Visual Analytics

Rank top research institutions, authors, funders, topics, and journals by Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI) and paper volume with instant charts.

Connect Distant Disciplines

Bridge topological clusters on the map to find hidden collaborative intersections.