Approaches to the analysis of relativistic superdense matter

Recent discoveries in astrophysics and in elementary-particle theory have indicated the need for relativistic models of superdense matter. Computational schemes based on relativistic quantum field theory developed to meet these needs are systematically discussed. A review of the problems which arise at the many different levels of approximation is given, and attempts at their solution are presented. Finally, a consistent approximation scheme suited to relativistic systems is developed and its justification discussed. This paper provides a theoretical basis for the approximation scheme which has previously been applied to model neutron star calculations