We discuss two different approximation schemes for the self-consistent solution of the relativistic Brueckner-Hartree-Fock equation for finite nuclei. The results obtained by the two methods are very similar. Employing a realistic one-boson-exhange potential (Bonn A), the predictions for energies and radii of ${}_{}{}^{16}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{O}$ and ${}_{}{}^{40}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{Ca}$ come out in substantially better agreement with experiment as compared to nonrelativistic approaches. As a by-product of our study, it turns out that the Fock exchange terms, ignored in a previous investigation, are not negligible.

• Received 25 March 1993

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.71.46