The binding energy of nuclear matter in the chiral σ-ω model

Abstract

The binding energy of nuclear matter is calculated in the chiral σ-ω model in an approximation to the Hartree-Fock scheme. Relativistic exchange energies and correlation energies including the effects of vacuum polarization are calculated. It is found that if one includes only the nucleon loop term in the meson self-energies, no satisfactory description of nuclear matter can be given. It is argued that by including the meson loop terms in the meson self-energies one can account for the saturation properties of nuclear matter.