Relativistic Point-Coupling Models as Effective Theories of Nuclei

Abstract

Recent studies have shown that concepts of effective field theory such as naturalness can be profitably applied to relativistic mean-field models of nuclei. Here the analysis by Friar, Madland, and Lynn of naturalness in a relativistic point-coupling model is extended. Fits to experimental nuclear data support naive dimensional analysis as a useful principle and imply a mean-field expansion analogous to that found for mean-field meson models.

Comments: 26 pages, REVTeX 3.0 with epsf.sty, plus 5 figures