  Time-dependent covariant density functional theory with the successful
density functional PCPK1 is developed in a three-dimensional coordinate space
without any symmetry restrictions, and benchmark calculations for the 16O + 16O
reaction are performed systematically. The relativistic kinematics, the
conservation laws of the momentum, total energy, and particle number, as well
as the time-reversal invariance are examined and confirmed to be satisfied
numerically. Two primary applications including the dissipation dynamics and
above-barrier fusion cross sections are illustrated. The obtained results are
in good agreement with the ones given by the nonrelativistic time-dependent
density functional theory and the data available. This demonstrates that the
newly developed time-dependent covariant density functional theory could serve
as an effective approach for the future studies of nuclear dynamical processes.
