Periodic structure in nuclear matter.

The properties of nuclear matter are studied in the framework of quantum hadrodynamics. Assuming an o-meson field, periodic in space, a self-consistent set of equations is derived in the mean-field approximation for the description of nucleons interacting via U-meson and w-meson fields. Solutions of these self-consistent equations have been found: The baryon density is constant in space, however, the baryon current density is periodic. This high density phase of nuclear matter can be produced by anisotropic external pressure, occurring, e.g., in relativistic heavy ion reactions. The self-consistent fields developing beyond the instability limit have a special screw symmetry. In the presence of such an o field, the energy spectrum of the relativistic nucleons exhibits allowed and forbidden bands, similar to the energy spectrum of the electrons in solids.