Equation of state and phase transitions in asymmetric nuclear matter - art. no. 024315

The structure of the three-dimension pressure-temperature-asymmetry surface of equilibrium of the asymmetric nuclear matter is studied within the ther mal Thomas-Fermi approximation. Special attention is paid to the difference of the asymmetry parameter between the boiling sheet and that of the conde nsation sheet of the surface of equilibrium. We derive the condition of exi stence of the regime of retrograde condensation at the boiling of the asymm etric nuclear matter, We have performed calculations of the caloric curves in the case of isobaric heating. We have shown the presence of the plateau region in caloric curves at the isobaric heating of the asymmetric nuclear matter. The shape of the caloric curve depends on the pressure and is sensi tive to the value of the asymmetry parameter. We point out that the experim ental value of the plateau temperature T approximate to 7 MeV corresponds t o the pressure P = 10(-2) MeV/fm(3) at the isobaric boiling.