Structure of nuclei in a relavistic meson-baryon quantum field theory

Relativistic Hartree equations for spherical nuclei are derived from a relativistic nuclear quantum field theory using a coordinate-space Green's function approach. The renormalizable field theory Lagrangian includes the interaction of nucleons with sigma, #betta#, rho, and π mesons and the photon. The Hartree equations represent the mean-field approximation for a finite nuclear system. Coupling constants and the sigma meson mass are determined from the properties of nuclear matter and the rms charge radius in 40Ca. Calculated charge densities, neutron densities, rms radii, and single-nucleon energy levels throughout the periodic table are compared with data and with results of nonrelativistic calculations. Relativistic Hartree results agree with experiment at a level comparable to that of the most sophisticated nonrelativistic calculations to date. It is shown that the Lorentz covariance of the relativistic formalism leads naturally to density-dependent interactions between nucleons. Furthermore, nonrelativistic reduction reveals noncentral and nonlocal aspects inherent in the Hartree formalism. The success of this simple relativistic Hartree approach is attributed to these features of the interaction. Giant resonances in a relativistic field theory; Hartree-Fock description of nuclear matter; and the pion nucleon interaction