Constraints on the asymmetric equation of state from heavy-ion collisions

Abstract

Nuclear matter is one of the most fascinating materials that exists.Therefore elucidating the equation-of-state of nuclear matter is a fundamentally interesting question. Additionally, the nuclear equationof-state has impacts on astrophysical observables. One important means of constraining the nuclear equation-of-state is through studying heavy-ion collisions. Nuclear material has two components - neutrons and protons - the ratio of which impacts the equation-of-state. Measurements of fragments emitted from reactions of nuclei with different ratios of neutrons and protons - and comparison to simulations based on various underlying interactions - have placed constraints on both the symmetric and asymmetric parts of the equation of state.