We compute the ground-state properties of finite systems of neutrons in an external harmonic trap, interacting via the Minnesota potential, using the “exact-exchange” form of orbital-dependent density functional theory. We compare our results with Hartree-Fock calculations and find very close agreement. Within the context of the interaction studied, we conclude that this simple orbital-dependent functional brings conventional nuclear density functional theory to the level of Hartree-Fock in an ab initio fashion. Our work is a first step toward higher order ab initio nuclear functionals based on realistic nucleon-nucleon interactions.

• Received 21 April 2011

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevC.84.014318