Effects of finite size and symmetry energy on the phase transition of stellar matter at subnuclear densities

We study the liquid-gas phase transition of stellar matter with the inclusion of the finite-size effect from surface and Coulomb energies. The equilibrium conditions for two coexisting phases are determined by minimizing the total free energy including the surface and Coulomb contributions, which are different from the Gibbs conditions used in the bulk calculations. The finite-size effect can significantly reduce the region of the liquid-gas mixed phase. The influence of the symmetry energy on the liquid-gas phase transition is investigated with the inclusion of finite-size effects. It is found that the slope of the symmetry energy plays an important role in determining the boundary and properties of the mixed phase.