4 The Relativistic Dirac-Brueckner Approach to Nuclear Matter

Abstract

An overview on the relativistic Dirac-Brueckner approach to the nuclear many-body problem is given. Different approximation schemes are discussed, with particular emphasis on the nuclear self-energy and the saturation mechanism of nuclear matter. I will further discuss extensions of the standard approach, amongst other things the inclusion of non-nucleonic degrees of freedom, many-body forces and finally compare relativistic and non-relativistic approaches.