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Bayesian inferences on covariant density functionals from multimessenger astrophysical data: Nucleonic models

Nuclear Theory 2025-05-23 v3 High Energy Astrophysical Phenomena

Abstract

[Background] Bayesian inference frameworks incorporating multi-messenger astrophysical constraints have recently been applied to covariant density functional (CDF) models to constrain their parameters. Among these, frameworks utilizing CDFs with density-dependent meson-nucleon couplings furnishing the equation of state (EoS) of compact star (CS) matter have been explored. [Purpose] The aforementioned inference framework has not yet incorporated astrophysical objects with potentially extreme high masses or ultra-small radii among its constraints, leaving its flexibility and predictive power under such extreme parameters still unknown. [Method] We apply the Bayesian inference framework based on CDFs with density dependent couplings. The astrophysical data is expanded to include not only the latest multi-messenger constraints from NICER and gravitational wave events but also the highest measured mass to date for the ``black widow" pulsar PSR J0952-0607 and the mass-radius estimates for the ultra-compact, low-mass object HESS J1731-347. [Results] Our systematic Bayesian analysis indicates that our CDF models can support higher maximum masses for CSs, reaching up to 2.42.4-2.5M2.5\,M_{\odot}. However, achieving sufficient softening of the EoS in the low-density regime to accommodate the HESS J1731-347 data remains challenging. Nonetheless, we are able to impose tighter constraints on the parameter space of CDF models, ensuring consistency with current nuclear experimental and astrophysical data. [Conclusions] CDF models with density-dependent meson-nucleon couplings encompass a wide range of nuclear and astrophysical phenomena, providing a robust theoretical framework for interpreting compact objects. However, the predicted lower limit for the radii of low-mass stars is approximately 12 km, which stems from the restricted degrees of freedom in the isovector sector.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.2502.20000,
  title  = {Bayesian inferences on covariant density functionals from multimessenger astrophysical data: Nucleonic models},
  author = {Jia-Jie Li and Yu Tian and Armen Sedrakian},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2502.20000},
  year   = {2025}
}

Comments

25 pages, 14 figures, matches published version

R2 v1 2026-06-28T22:00:00.249Z