Single particle spectrum and binding energy of nuclear matter

In non-relativistic Brueckner calculations of nuclear matter, the self-cons istent single particle potential is strongly momentum dependent. To simplif y the calculations, a parabolic approximation is often used in the literatu re, The variation in the binding energy value introduced by the parabolic a pproximation is quantitatively analyzed in detail. It is found that the app roximation can introduce an uncertainty at best of 1-2 MeV already around t he saturation density, and therefore it should be avoided in Brueckner calc ulations. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.