A simple model for the nuclear curvature energy

Using the well-known analytically soluble model of semi-infinite nuclear matter of Wilets, we deduce a closed expression for the nuclear curvature energy as a function of the surface profile asymmetry; the values obtained for the curvature coefficient are in good agreement with those extracted from realistic calculations. A generalization of this procedure could be a way out of the difficulties arising in Hartree-Fock calculations of the curvature coefficient.