Spectral distribution calculations of the level density of /sup 24/Mg

Spectral distribution calculations of the level density of /sup 24/Mg are compared with experimental values for the level density of this nucleus as well as with Fermi gas calculations. Particular attention is paid to the technique used for the expansion. Traditional techniques which have utilized knowledge of the third and fourth moments of the Hamiltonian have yielded a distribution function that is not positive definite. Two alternative expansion methods are examined. One is found to be unacceptable because of the fact it does not yield a unique fit, but the second appears to be quite useful. Not only is the resultant expansion positive definite, but it appears capable in principle of giving a more detailed representation of the level density than the traditional method. Results of the calculation for two different basis sizes are compared