Relativistic mean field theory has been used to study different isotopes of Zn and Ge in the mass 60–70 region. The mean field equations are expanded in an angular basis assuming axial symmetry and reflection symmetry. The binding energy, charge quadrupole moment, and root mean square radius of a number of nuclei in the studied region have been calculated and compared with experimentally observed values wherever available. The effect of the cutoff value in the angular expansion is investigated and it is found that a value of 4 is sufficient to describe nuclei in this mass region. A study of Zn isotopes indicates that the restriction imposed by the assumption of axial symmetry may be too severe and a triaxial calculation may be necessary.

• Received 15 September 1998

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevC.59.2541