Total and Parity-Projected Level Densities of Iron-Region Nuclei by the Shell Model Monte Carlo Method

Total and parity-projected level densities of iron-region nuclei are calculated microscopically by using Monte Carlo methods for the nuclear shell model in the complete $(pf+0g_{9/2})$-shell. The calculated total level density is found to be in good agreement with the experimental level density. The Monte Carlo calculations offer a significant improvement over the thermal Hartree-Fock approximation. Contrary to the Fermi gas model, it is found that the level density has a significant parity-dependence in the neutron resonance region. The systematics of the level density parameters (including shell effects) in the iron region is presented.