Skyrme-force parametrization: Least-squares fit to nuclear ground-state properties

We investigate systematically the possibilities and the limits of the Skyrme force for reproducing nuclear ground-state properties in a spherical Hartree-Fock calculation. This investigation is performed by means of least-squares fits of the force parameters to the measured binding energy, diffraction radius, and surface width of eight selected nuclei. Particular emphasis is put on the density dependence of the interaction, which turns out to be determined mainly by the surface width. The least-squares fitting procedure yields the best-fit parameters together with uncertainties on them, and it also allows one to estimate the uncertainties of an extrapolation to other fields, e.g., nuclear matter properties. We also study the contribution of random-phase-approximation correlations to the ground-state properties and their influence on the parameters of the effective interaction. Here, we also compare to giant dipole resonance energies.