Shape evolution for Sm isotopes in relativistic mean-field theory

The evolution of shape from the spherical to the axially deformed shapes in the Sm isotopes is investigated microscopically in relativistic mean-field theory. The microscopic and self-consistent quadrupole deformation constrained relativistic mean-field calculations show a clear shape change for the even-even Sm isotopes with N = 82-96. The potential surfaces for ¹⁴⁸Sm, ¹⁵⁰Sm and ¹⁵²Sm are found to be relatively flat, which may be the possible critical-point nuclei. By examining the single-particle spectra and nearest-neighbor spacing distribution of the single-particle levels, one finds that the single-particle levels in ¹⁴⁸Sm , ¹⁵⁰Sm, and ¹⁵²Sm distribute more uniformly.