Reply to Comment on ‘Bulk properties of nuclear matter in a modified relativistic Dirac formalism’

Abstract We sincerely thank the Editorial Board for forwarding the comments regarding our published paper [Panda et al 2024 Bulk properties of nuclear matter in a modified relativistic dirac formalism Phys. Scr. 99 105307], particularly those highlighting similarities with the earlier work [Barik et al 2013 Nuclear equation of state in a relativistic independent quark model with chiral symmetry and dependence on quark masses Phys. Rev. C - Nucl. Phys. 88 015206] and pointing out possible inaccuracies in our results. This Reply aims to clarify and responds to comments on our published study [Panda et al 2024 Bulk properties of nuclear matter in a modified relativistic dirac formalism Phys. Scr. 99 105307], which developed a Modified Relativistic Dirac Formalism (MRDF) for bulk nuclear matter using a QCD-motivated linear confinement potential, V r = 1 2 1 + γ 0 a 2 r + V 0 ,unlike the harmonic potential used in [Barik et al 2013 Nuclear equation of state in a relativistic independent quark model with chiral symmetry and dependence on quark masses Phys. Rev. C - Nucl. Phys. 88 015206]. Our formulation incorporates distinct eigenvalue equations, normalization conditions, and correction terms. The MRDF framework extends beyond [Barik et al 2013 Nuclear equation of state in a relativistic independent quark model with chiral symmetry and dependence on quark masses Phys. Rev. C - Nucl. Phys. 88 015206] by providing a self-consistent analysis of the symmetry energy, slope parameter, incompressibility, spin–orbit strength, and the neutron-star mass–radius relation. A minor plotting error in the binding-energy curve for m q = 300 MeV has been corrected; however, this adjustment does not affect any numerical results or physical conclusions. All results continue to satisfy the standard nuclear saturation conditions and remain consistent with QMC-type models. With the inclusion of the missing citation and the corrected figure, our conclusions remain valid, reaffirming that the MRDF is an independent and consistent model for describing nuclear matter. Below, we present point-by-point clarifications and a structured comparison to establish the integrity of our work.