Within the framework of the Dirac-Brueckner (DB) approach, the properties of dense nuclear and neutron matter are investigated using realistic nucleon-nucleon (NN) interactions which are derived from relativistic meson-field theory and describe the two-nucleon system quantitatively. Single-particle potentials, equations of state, nucleon effective masses, Landau parameters, and speeds of sound are calculated and analyzed as functions of density, for both nuclear and neutron matter. In the DB approach, the equation of state comes out stiffer than in the most sophisticated nonrelativistic calculation, but softer than in the Walecka model. Possible extensions of the present approach to nucleon-nucleus scattering and nucleus-nucleus collisions are also discussed.

• Received 28 October 1991

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevC.45.2782