First order kaon condensation in neutron stars: Finite size effects in themixed phase - art. no. 065804

We study the role of Coulomb and surface effects on the phase transition fr om dense nuclear matter to a mixed phase of nuclear and kaon-condensed matt er. We calculate corrections to the bulk calculation of the equation of sta te (EOS) and the critical density for the transition by solving explicitly for spherical, cylindrical, and planar structures. The importance of Debye screening in the determination of the charged particle profiles is studied in some detail. We find that the surface and Coulomb contributions to the e nergy density are small but that they play an important role in the determi nation of the critical pressure for the transition, as well as affecting th e size and geometry of favored structures. This changes the EOS over a wide range of pressure and consequently increases the maximum mass by similar t o0.1M(circle dot). Implications for transport properties of the mixed phase are also discussed.