We suggest that nonminimally coupled scalar fields can lead to modifications of the microphysics in the interiors of relativistic stars. As a concrete example, we consider the generation of a non-zero photon mass in such high-density environments. This is achieved by means of a light gravitational scalar, and the scalarization phase transition in scalar-tensor theories of gravitation. Two distinct models are presented, and phenomenological implications are briefly discussed.
@article{arxiv.1606.03981,
title = {Gravitational Higgs Mechanism in Neutron Star Interiors},
author = {Andrew Coates and Michael W. Horbartsch and Thomas P. Sotiriou},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1606.03981},
year = {2017}
}