Next Generation Relativistic Models

Abstract

The current generation of covariant mean-field models has had many successes in calculations of bulk observables for medium to heavy nuclei, but there remain many open questions. New challenges are confronted when trying to systematically extend these models to reliably address nuclear structure physics away from the line of stability. In this lecture, we discuss a framework for the next generation of relativistic models that can address these questions and challenges. We interpret nuclear mean-field approaches as approximate implementations of Kohn-Sham density functional theory (DFT), which is widely used in condensed matter and quantum chemistry applications. We look to effective field theory (EFT) for a systematic approach to low-energy nuclear physics that can provide the framework for nuclear DFT.