Calculation of the Binding Energy of Nuclear Matter by the Method of Reference Spectrum

Abstract

The binding energy of nuclear matter has been calculated with the Hamada-Johnson potential by the method of the reference spectrum of Bethe et al. Corrections due to the exclusion principle, difference of spectrums, and the motion of the center of mass have not been included, these are believed to be small. It is found that the binding energy is only -7.8 MeV per particle at a density corresponding to the Fermi momentum $k_F=1.12\mathrm{}$ ${\mathrm{F}}^{-1\mathrm{}}$. This result is similar to the result of the calculations by Brueckner and Masterson with the Breit potential. A discussion of the self-consistency of the method is given.