Theory of Nuclear Surface Energy

The eigenvalues of a free particle in a spherical potential well of finite depth are computed and used to calculate the surface energy of nuclear systems. No assumptions are made concerning the specifically nuclear forces. For depth and radius $56m{c}^2$ and $\frac{\frac{1}{2}{A}^{\frac{1}{3}}{e}^2}{m{c}^2}$, respectively, the computed surface energy is about two-thirds the empirical value. A well of infinite depth yields a surface energy more than double the empirical value. One-dimensional and cubical wells are discussed for the purpose of orientation.