Covariant density functional theory is used to analyze the evolution of low-lying M1 strength in superfluid deformed nuclei in the framework of the self-consistent Relativistic Quasiparticle Random Phase Approximation (RQRPA). In nuclei with a pronou
nced neutron excess two scissor modes are found. Besides the conventional scissor mode, where the deformed proton and neutron distributions oscillate against each other, a new soft M1 mode is found, where the deformed neutron skin oscillates in a scissor like motion against a deformed proton-neutron core.
Covariant density functional theory, in the framework of self-consistent Relativistic Mean Field (RMF) and Relativistic Random Phase approximation (RPA), is for the first time applied to axially deformed nuclei. The fully self-consistent RMF+RRPA equ
ations are posed for the case of axial symmetry and non-linear energy functionals, and solved with the help of a new parallel code. Formal properties of RPA theory are studied and special care is taken in order to validate the proper decoupling of spurious modes and their influence on the physical response. Sample applications to the magnetic and electric dipole transitions in $^{20}$Ne are presented and analyzed.
