Within the framework of the relativistic Dirac-Brueckner approach, the equation of state of nuclear matter is studied on the basis of a one-boson-exchange interaction. The saturation properties of the ground state and its compressional energy are calculated. The model is extended to nonzero temperature by use of finite-temperature Green's functions for the dressed nucleons. Isotherms in a $P-\rho$ diagram are obtained which show the existence of a liquid-vapor phase equilibrium below a critical temperature of $T_c\simeq 12$ MeV.

• Received 13 December 1985

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.56.1237