Relativistic Hartree-Fock model and its recent progress on the description of nuclear structure

Regarding the stage progress on the relativistic Hartree-Fock (RHF) model achieved recently, we review the extensive developments of the model itself, including the descriptions of axially deformed unstable nuclei and nuclear spin-isospin excitations, which shows that a complete RHF framework is now available for exploring the tensor force effects in both ground state and excited states of unstable nuclei. Meanwhile, the recent RHF descriptions of the pseudo-spin symmetry restoration and the new magicity are also reviewed. It shows that the Fock terms, particularly the rho-tensor coupling and naturally introduced tensor force components, bring about significant improvements in maintaining the delicate in-medium balance of nuclear attractions and repulsions, and uniformly interpreting the emergence of new magicity in Ca-52,Ca-54. The revealed microscopic mechanisms not only deepen our understanding on the properties of nuclear structure, but also help to guide the further development of the effective nuclear force.