Implementation of a variational approach to approximate particle number projection with effective forces Original Research Article

Kamlahʹs second-order method for approximate particle number projection is applied for the first time to variational calculations with effective forces. High spin states of normal and superdeformed nuclei have been calculated with the finite range density dependent Gogny force for several nuclei. Advantages and drawbacks of the Kamlah second-order method as compared to the Lipkin–Nogami recipe are thoroughly discussed. We find that the Lipkin–Nogami prescription occasionally may fail to find the right energy minimum in the strong pairing regime and that Kamlahʹs second-order approach though providing better results than the LN one may break down in some limiting situations.