Shell effects in nuclei with vector self-coupling of the ω meson in the relativistic Hartree-Bogoliubov theory -: art. no. 054306

Shell effects in nuclei about the stability line are investigated within the framework of the relativistic Hartree-Bogoliubov (RHB) theory with self-consistent finite-range pairing. Using two-neutron separation energies of Ni and Sn isotopes, the role of sigma- and omega-meson couplings on the shell effects in nuclei is examined. It is observed that the existing successful nuclear forces (Lagrangian parameter sets) based upon the nonlinear scalar coupling of the sigma meson exhibit shell effects which are stronger than suggested by the experimental data. We have introduced nonlinear vector self-coupling of the omega meson in the RHB theory. It is shown that the inclusion of the vector self-coupling of the omega meson in addition to the nonlinear scalar coupling of the sigma meson provides a good agreement with the experimental data on shell effects in nuclei about the stability line. A comparison of the shell effects in the RHB theory is made with the Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov approach using the Skyrme force SkP. It is shown that the oft-discussed shell quenching with SkP is not consistent with the available experimental data.