Relativistic mean-field study for Zn isotopes

The ground-state properties of Zn isotopes have been investigated using the deformed relativistic mean-field (RMF) theory with the NL-SH and TM1 forces. The pi-meson and the spatial component of the omega-meson are taken into account. Shell effects in nuclear sizes and neutron skins are well described. Strong deformations are found for most of Zn isotopes. The shape coexistence of prolate-oblate types exists for a high portion of Zn isotopes. The occurrence of the superdeformed minimum in even isotopes is discussed. The pi-meson contribution in ground-state properties of odd Zn isotopes is very limited, whereas the spatial component of the w-meson that couples to the nonzero vector current in deformed odd nuclei gives rise to the degeneracy breaking of the level with opposite spin projections, playing the role of anti-pairing. The anti-pairing role in odd nuclei and pairing correlations with the Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer description in even nuclei are important to give the odd-even difference in charge radii, the prediction of the proton drip line, and possible abundance of the halo structure for neutron-rich isotopes.