Abstract
We construct a dense matter equation of state (EoS) starting from a hadronic density dependent relativistic mean-field model with a DD2 parametrization including the excluded volume corrections at low densities. The high density part is given by a Nambu–Jona–Lasinio (NJL) model with multi-quark interactions. This EoS is characterized by increasing speed of sound below and above the phase transition region. The first order transition region has a large latent heat leaving a distinctive signature in the mass-radii relations in terms of twin stars.