Parameter counting in relativistic mean-field models

Power counting is applied to relativistic mean-field energy functionals to estimate contributions to the energy from individual terms. New estimates f or isovector, tensor, and gradient terms in finite nuclei are shown to be c onsistent with direct, high-quality fits. The estimates establish a hierarc hy of model parameters and identify how many parameters are well constraine d by bulk nuclear observables. We conclude that four (possibly five) isosca lar, non-gradient parameters, one gradient parameter, and one isovector par ameter are well determined by the usual bulk nuclear observables. (C) 2000 Published by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.