Relativistic Hartree-Bogoliubov description of the neutron drip-line in light nuclei

The Relativistic Hartree Bogoliubov theory is applied in the mean-field approximation to the description of properties of light nuclei with large neutron excess. Pairing correlations and the coupling to particle continuum states are described by finite range two-body forces. Using standard parameter sets for the mean-field Lagrangian and the pairing interaction of Gogny-type, self-consistent solutions in coordinate space are calculated for the ground states of a number of neutron-rich nuclei. The model predicts the location of the neutron drip-line, reduction of the spin-orbit interaction, $rms$ radii, changes in surface properties, the formation of neutron skin and of neutron halo.