Density dependence of the nuclear symmetry energy constrained by mean-field calculations

We establish a correlation for the symmetry energy at saturation density S-0, slope parameter L, and curvature parameter K-sym based on widely different mean-field interactions. With the help of this correlation and available empirical and theoretical information, the density-dependent behavior around the saturation density is determined. We compare the results obtained with the present approach with those by other analyses. With this obtained density-dependent behavior of the symmetry energy, the neutron skin thickness of Pb-208 and some properties of neutron stars are investigated. In addition, it is found that the expression S(rho) = S-0(rho/rho(0))(gamma) or S(rho) = 12.5 (rho/rho(0))(2/3) + C-p(rho/rho(0))(gamma) does not reproduce the density dependence of the symmetry energy as predicted by the mean-field approach around nuclear saturation density.