Dense nuclear matter

Dense nuclear matter refers to extremely compact material primarily composed of tightly packed neutrons and protons, typically found in the core of neutron stars. Under immense pressure and density—far exceeding those in ordinary atomic nuclei—these particles are compressed to a state where quantum effects and strong nuclear forces dominate. This creates a super-dense environment where matter is essentially a quantum fluid, with properties significantly different from everyday materials. Studying this matter helps scientists understand the behavior of matter under extreme conditions and provides insights into fundamental physics, particularly the strong nuclear force and the structure of neutron stars.