Equation of State of Nuclear Matter in the Relativistic Dirac-Brueckner Approach

Abstract

Within the framework of the relativistic Dirac-Brueckner approach, the equation of state of nuclear matter is studied on the basis of a one-boson-exchange interaction. The saturation properties of the ground state and its compressional energy are calculated. The model is extended to nonzero temperature by use of finite-temperature Green's functions for the dressed nucleons. Isotherms in a $P\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\rho}$ diagram are obtained which show the existence of a liquid-vapor phase equilibrium below a critical temperature of ${T}_{c}\ensuremath{\simeq}12$ MeV.