2 00 3 Short - Range Correlations in Nuclear Matter at Finite Temperatures and High Densities

The density and temperature dependence of the nucleonic single particle spectral function in symmetric nuclear matter at finite temperatures and densities beyond normal nuclear matter density is investigated in a model emphasizing short-range correlations and phase space aspects. A simple but self-consistent approach based on quantum transport theory is used. In particular we consider the density and temperature regime occuring e.g. during the core collapse in a supernova explosion and the subsequent formation of a neutron star. Mean-field effects are incorporated by a Skyrme type potential.