Towards a global and multi-purpose equation of state: Quasi-clusters for an effective treatment of short-range correlations

The formation of nuclear clusters at subsaturation densities constitutes an essential feature for the construction of the equation of state (EoS). Phenomenological models that make use of energy density functionals (EDFs) offer a convenient approach to account for the presence of these bound states of nucleons when clusters are introduced as additional degrees of freedom. However, in these models clusters dissolve when the density approaches the saturation density, so that only nucleons survive at higher densities, in contrast with recent evidences of sizeable short-range correlations (SRCs) even at a larger density. We propose a novel approach which allows, within the EDF framework, incorporating SRCs at supra-saturation densities, by using effective clusters immersed in dense matter as a surrogate for correlations. Our idea is to improve the modelization of the EoS, by embedding the SRCs within generalized relativistic energy density functionals through the introduction of suitable in-medium modifications of the cluster properties. As a first exploratory step, the example of a quasi-deuteron in a relativistic mean-field model with density dependent couplings is explored. Implications for astrophysical applications and for general aspects of reactions dynamics, such as the clustering processes emerging in heavy-ion collisions, are envisaged