On the linear term in the nuclear symmetry energy

The nuclear symmetry energy calculated in the RPA from the pairing plus symmetry force Hamiltonian with equidistant single-nucleon levels is for mass number A=48 approximately proportional to T(T+1.025), where T is the isospin quantum number. An isovector character of the pair field assumed to produce the observed odd-even mass staggering is essential for this result. The RPA contribution to the symmetry energy cannot be simulated by adding to the Hartree-Fock-Bogolyubov energy a term proportional to the isospin variance in the Bogolyubov quasiparticle vacuum, and there are significant corrections to the approximation which consist in adding half the isocranking angular velocity. The present calculation employs a smaller single-nucleon level spacing than used in a previous investigation of the model.