Relativistic theory of nuclear matter and finite nuclei

Abstract

The relativistic theory of nuclear matter and finite nuclei is reviewed. Both, effective as well as microscopic approaches are discussed. In the latter approach one starts with a one-boson-exchange nucleon-nucleon interaction leading to the Dirac-Brueckner description. In the first method, one formulates the Hartree- (mean field) or Hartree-Fock approximation to some effective Lagrangian which is used to describe directly nuclear matter and finite nuclei. Both approaches are considered and derived in the same framework: the Martin-Schwinger hierarchy of Green's functions. We treat briefly the relativistic Fermi liquid theory, the influence of Δ-degrees of freedom and the situation regarding vacuum fluctuations. We present and discuss results for nuclear matter: saturation properties, equation of state and thermal properties, asymmetric nuclear matter and Landau parameters. In the case of finite nuclei we study optical potentials in nucleon-nucleus scattering and the relation to Dirac phenomenology. Finally, some selected nuclear structure results obtained in Hartree-(Fock) approximation are given.