Using the generalized Skyrme force SkSP1, we calculate the equation of state (EOS) of nuclear matter appropriate to stellar collapse; we consider the full density range corresponding to the passage from the droplet phase (isolated nuclei) through the bubble phase up to homogeneous nuclear matter. This force, having a term with simultaneous momentum and density dependence, is able to give a good fit to nuclear masses in Hartree-Fock-BCS calculations while having the nuclear-matter value of the effective nucleon mass. We find that in the two inhomogeneous phases the new EOS resembles closely that given by a conventional Skyrme force fitted to nuclear masses, while in the homogeneous phase it rapidly crosses over with increasing density to approach the EOS given by a conventional Skyrme force with the correct nuclear-matter value of the effective mass. Thus it is possible with a Skyrme-type force to obtain an EOS with the correct effective-mass properties at both extremities of the density range.

• Received 16 November 2001

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevC.65.047302