Approximate Calculation of Nuclear Binding Energy

Abstract

The binding energy, size, and shape of finite nuclei are studied using a method which tests the "local uniformity" assumption. This assumption implies that the properties of finite nuclei can be obtained from those of infinite nuclear matter. The energy is computed using as a trial wave function an amplitude- and frequency-modulated plane wave; this permits the use of nuclear-matter results in a straightforward manner. The calculation gives a binding energy which is too low, a radius which is too small, and a nuclear surface which is too diffuse. Several possible corrections to this result are examined.