Viable and Stable Compact Stars in $f(\mathcal{Q})$ Theory

Abstract: In this paper, we study the viability and stability of anisotropic compact stars in the context of $f(\mathcal{Q})$ theory, where $\mathcal{Q}$ is non-metricity scalar. We use Finch-Skea solutions to investigate the physical properties of compact stars. To determine the values of unknown constants, we match internal spacetime with the exterior region at the boundary surface. Furthermore, we study the various physical quantities, including effective matter variables, energy conditions and equation of state parameters inside the considered compact stars. The equilibrium and stability states of the proposed compact stars are examined through the Tolman-Oppenheimer-Volkoff equation, causality condition, Herrera cracking approach and adiabatic index, respectively. It is found that viable and stable compact stars exist in $f(\mathcal{Q})$ theory as all the necessary conditions are satisfied.