Relativistic Density Functional Theory: Applications to Nuclei Far from Stability

Abstract

Covariant density functional Theory ({CDFr)} is used to describe properties of the nuclear many-body system. Using only a very limited number of parameters it provides a universal self-consistent phenomenological method to reproduce and understand various phenomena in this strongly interacting mesoscopic system. It is based on the mean field idea. Correlations, vacuum polarization, exchange terms etc. are included in a phenomenological way. The time-dependent version allows the investigation of excited states such as rotational motion and collective vibrations. We give an overview over the basic concepts of density functional theory in nuclei with its various extensions and discuss recent applications for nuclei in and far from the valley of stability.