Relation between nuclear level density parameters and mass shell corrections

Abstract

Previous work by Gilbert and Cameron has demonstrated a linear relation between the nuclear level density parameter a and the mass shell correction S. However, different relations were obtained for deformed and undeformed nuclei. We show that a single relation can be obtained if a deformation energy is added to the reference mass formula. This deformation energy is shown to be proportional to the number of neutrons or protons to the nearest closed shell.