Properties of nuclei far from the stability line in the relativistic Hartree theory

The properties of infinite nuclear matter and spherical nuclei are studied in terms of the relativistic Hartree theory. The special emphasis is placed on the role of the rho-meson field, which provides the isovector interaction among nucleons, in determining nuclear properties far from the stability line. We find that the proton radius follows the neutron radius as the neutron number increases, by an amount which is not very sensitive to the rho-meson coupling strength. On the other hand, the neutron drip line depends largely on the rho-meson strength. Calculations with finite geometry show interesting shell effects, but the general tendency described above is unchanged. (orig.)