Nuclei can be described satisfactorily in a nonlinear chiral SU(3) framework, even with standard potentials of the linear σ model. The condensate value of the strange scalar meson is found to be important for the properties of nuclei even without adding hyperons. By neglecting terms which couple the strange to the nonstrange condensate one can reduce the model to a Walecka model structure embedded in SU(3). We discuss inherent problems with chiral SU(3) models regarding hyperon optical potentials.

• Received 6 July 1998

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevC.59.411