  We investigate the origin of the kink effect (KE) in the relativistic mean
field theory by transforming the single-particle Dirac equation into a
Schrodinger-like equation. It is found that relativistic self-consistent
effects as well as contributions from the rho meson determine the actual
structure of the KE. However, the spin-orbit force generated by the rho meson
has no significant influence on the KE.
