Abstract
Nuclear matter is studied in the framework of quantum hadrodynamics (QHD). As a simple first example, the nuclear equation of state is computed in the mean-field approximation to the Walecka model (QHD-I). General principles of covariant thermodynamics and thermodynamic consistency are introduced, and these principles are illustrated by recomputing the mean-field nuclear matter properties in an arbitrary reference frame. The loop expansion is proposed as a candidate for performing reliable calculations beyond the mean-field approximation, and the one-loop vacuum corrections to the mean-field results are discussed. The two-loop corrections for nuclear matter, including vacuum polarization, are then calculated. The size and nature of the two-loop corrections indicate that the loop expansion is apparently not a useful procedure in this model. Prospects for alternative expansion schemes are discussed.
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