Concept of covariant density functional theory

Abstract

The concept of density functional theory is introduced. The history of nuclear density functional theory is briefly reviewed. The complexity and specialty of the density functional theories in nuclear system in connection with the degrees of freedom, covariance and pairing correlations are discussed in contrast to Coulombic systems. The existing problems and limits of the nuclear density functional theory are discussed. Perspective on the way to derive ab initio functionals is given.