From bare two-nucleon interaction to nuclear matter and finite nuclei in a relativistic framework
Phys. Rev. C 114, 024328 – Published 17 August, 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/pd1h-cdwc
Abstract
Understanding nuclear forces, infinite nuclear matter, and finite nuclei within a unified framework has remained a central challenge in nuclear physics for decades. While most ab initio studies employ nonrelativistic Schrödinger-equation frameworks, this work offers a relativistic perspective. Using a leading-order relativistic chiral interaction, we study medium-mass nuclei (Ca, Ni, Zr, Sn) via the relativistic Brueckner-Hartree-Fock theory. Systematic uncertainties from regulator cutoffs and interaction parameters are analyzed. The binding energies and charge radii of medium-mass nuclei agree reasonably well with experimental data, significantly improving the “Coester line”. The charge density distributions also agree well with the data, highlighting the connection to a consistent reproduction of nuclear matter saturation. These results demonstrate that the relativistic approach, employing a leading-order chiral force with only four low-energy constants and no three-nucleon forces, can capture the most important dynamics and offer a complementary pathway to address longstanding challenges in nuclear ab initio studies.
