NUCLEON-NUCLEUS POTENTIAL AT LOW AND INTERMEDIATE ENERGY IN A DIRAC-HARTREE MODEL

We calculate the average nucleon-nucleus potential from the Dirac-Hartree model, extended to positive energy. The sole input is a one-boson-exchange nucleon-nucleon interaction which reproduces ground-state properties. We obtain fair agreement with empirical values. Between 170 and 400 MeV, the calculated potential is repulsive in the nuclear interior but still attractive at the surface. This shape is related to the scalar and vector nature of the exchanged bosons. © 1979 The American Physical Society.