Relativistic Energy Density Functionals: Beyond the Mean-Field Approximation

Relativistic energy density functionals (EDF) provide a complete and accurate description of nuclear ground states and collective excitations. Employing semi-empirical functionals adjusted to the nuclear matter equation of state and to bulk properties of finite nuclei, this framework has been applied to studies of arbitrarily heavy nuclei, exotic nuclei far from stability, and even systems at the nucleon drip-lines. EDF-based structure models have also been developed that go beyond the static mean-field approximation, and include correlations related to the restoration of broken symmetries and to fluctuations of collective variables. (authors)