We calculate the nuclear level density parameter over a wide range of nuclear mass and temperature, using a recently developed realistic model. The model calculations take into account the effects of finite size of the nucleus, the continuum states, the momentum and frequency dependence of the effective mass, and the variation of these effects with temperature. A reasonable agreement with recent experimental data is obtained.

• Received 2 July 1991

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevC.44.2878