The Coester line in relativistic mean field nuclear matter

Abstract

The Walecka model contains essentially two parameters that are associated with the Lorentz scalar (S) and vector (V ) interactions. These parameters are related to a two-body interaction consisting of S and V , imposing the condition that the two-body binding energy is fixed. We have obtained a set of different values for the nuclear matter binding energies (BN ) at equilibrium densities (ρo). We investigated the existence of a linear correlation between B N and ρ o , claimed to be universal for nonrelativistic systems and usually known as the Coester line, and found an approximate linear correlation only if V − S remains constant. It is shown that the relativistic content of the model, which is related to the strength of V − S , is responsible for the shift of the Coester line to the empirical region of nuclear matter saturation.

The few scales of nuclei and nuclear matter

“…Coester et al [22] observed that, in an energy versus density plot, the saturation points of nuclear matter obtained by employing different realistic potentials are located along a band (Coester band). Also, in a relativistic framework it was observed such strong correlation [24]. The displayed nuclear matter binding energy (B A /A ≡ B (A,0) /A) versus saturation density [ ρ o = (2/3)k 3 F /π 2 , with k F the Fermi momentum] results are within a narrow band [22].…”