Covariant mean-field calculations of finite-temperature nuclear matter

Hot nuclear matter is studied in the framework of quantum hadrodynamics. General principles of covariant thermodynamics and thermodynamic consistency are discussed, and these principles are illustrated by computing nuclear matter properties in an arbitrary reference frame, using the mean-field approximation to the Walecka model. The results are shown to be Lorentz covariant, and thermodynamic consistency is demonstrated by proving the equality of the ``thermodynamic'' and ``hydrostatic'' pressures. The mean-field results are used in a simple hydrodynamic picture to discuss the phenomenology of heavy-ion collisions and astrophysical systems, with an emphasis on new features that arise in a covariant approach.