With the relativistic representation of the nuclear tensor force that is included automatically by the Fock diagrams, we explored the self-consistent tensor effects on the properties of a nuclear matter system. The analysis was performed within the density-dependent relativistic Hartree-Fock (DDRHF) theory. The tensor force is found to notably influence the saturation mechanism, the equation of state, and the symmetry energy of nuclear matter, as well as the neutron star properties. Without introducing any additional free parameters, the DDRHF approach is a natural way to reveal the tensor effects on the nuclear matter system.

• Received 20 October 2014

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevC.91.025802