Relativistic Mean-Field Theory

Abstract

In this chapter, the covariant energy density functional is constructed with both the meson-exchange and the point-coupling pictures. Several widely used functionals with either nonlinear or density-dependent effective interactions are introduced. The applications of covariant density functional theory are demonstrated for infinite nuclear matter and finite nuclei with spherical symmetry, axially symmetric quadrupole deformation, and triaxial quadrupole shapes. Finally, a relativistic description of the nuclear landscape has been discussed, which is not only important for nuclear structure, but also important for nuclear astrophysics, where we are facing the problem of a reliable extrapolation to the very neutron-rich nuclei.