Constraints on the relativistic mean field of $\Delta$-isobar in nuclear matter

Abstract

The effects of the presence of $\Delta$-isobars in nuclear matter are studied in the framework of relativistic mean-field theory. The existence of stable nuclei at saturation density imposes constraints on the $\Delta$-isobar self-energy and thereby on the mean-field coupling constants of the scalar and vector mesons with $\Delta$-isobars. The range of possible values for the scalar and vector coupling constants of $\Delta$-isobars with respect to the nucleon coupling is investigated and compared to recent predictions of QCD sum-rule calculations.