Symmetry energy in the equation of state of asymmetric nuclear matter

The symmetry energy is an important quantity in the equation of state of isospin asymmetric nuclear matter. This currently unknown quantity is key to understanding the structure of systems as diverse as the neutron-rich nuclei and neutron stars. At TAMU, we have carried out studies, aimed at understanding the symmetry energy, in a variety of reactions such as, the multifiragmentation of Ar-40, Ca-40 + Fe-58, Ni-58 and Ni-58, Fe-58 + Ni-58, Fe-58 reactions at 25 - 53 AMeV, and deep-inelastic reactions of Kr-86 + Sn-124,Sn-112, Ni-64,Ni-58 (25 AMeV), Ni-64 + Ni-64,Ni-58, Sn-112,Sn-124, Th-232, Pb-208 (25 AMeV) and Xe-136 + Ni-64,Ni-58, Sn-112,Sn-124, Th-232, Au-197 (20 AMeV). Here we present an overview of some of the results obtained from these studies. The results are analyzed within the framework of statistical and dynamical models, and have important implications for future experiments using beams of neutron-rich nuclei.