Relativistic Brueckner-Hartree-Fock Theory in Infinite Nuclear Matter

TL;DR

This paper presents the first complete solution of the relativistic Brueckner-Hartree-Fock equations for symmetric nuclear matter, including full Dirac space considerations, advancing microscopic derivations of covariant density functionals.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive solution of RBHF equations in Dirac space, improving upon previous approximations in nuclear matter calculations.

Findings

Full Dirac space solutions differ from positive-energy-only calculations.

Comparison shows improved equation of state accuracy.

Inclusion of negative energy states impacts nuclear matter properties.

Abstract

On the way of a microscopic derivation of covariant density functionals, the first complete solution of the relativistic Brueckner-Hartree-Fock (RBHF) equations is presented for symmetric nuclear matter. In most of the earlier investigations, the $G$-matrix is calculated only in the space of positive energy solutions. On the other side, for the solution of the relativistic Hartree-Fock (RHF) equations, also the elements of this matrix connecting positive and negative energy solutions are required. So far, in the literature, these matrix elements are derived in various approximations. We discuss solutions of the Thompson equation for the full Dirac space and compare the resulting equation of state with those of earlier attempts in this direction.