Proximity potential and the surface energy coefficient calculated using an energy density formalism

Within a folding procedure, the universal function of the proximity potential is calculated by using the energy density functional of Vautherin and Brink for the Skyrme force interactions. The corrected Thomas-Fermi approximation is used for the nuclear density. Also, the surface energy coefficient in the nuclear binding energy expression (for a spherical nucleus) is calculated for making an estimate of the correction to the Thomas-Fermi kinetic energy density. Judging the performance of the various known Skyrme forces in giving a correct physical behavior of the proximity universal function and the surface energy coefficient, we obtain the correction parameter lambdaroughly-equal(1/36) for the original Skyrme force and the force SII of Vautherin and Brink