Carbon isotopes near drip lines in the relativistic mean-field theory

We have investigated the ground-state properties of carbon isotopes in the framework of the relativistic mean-field (RMF) theory. RMF calculations hav e been performed with the nonlinear scalar self-coupling of the sigma meson using an axially symmetric deformed configuration. We have also introduced the vector self-coupling of the omega meson for the deformed mean-field ca lculations. The results show that the RMF predictions on radii and deformat ions are in good agreement with the available experimental data. It is show n that several carbon isotopes possess a highly deformed shape akin to a su perdeformation. The single-particle structure of nuclei away from the stabi lity line has been discussed with a view to understand the properties near the neutron drip line. Predictions of properties of carbon isotopes away fr om the stability Line are made. [S0556-2813(99)07002-8].