Level density parameter in a refined Thomas-Fermi theory

We present calculations for the nuclear level density parameter over a wide range of nuclear mass and temperature. The hot nucleus is modeled in a refined Thomas-Fermi approximation that allows the confinement of the hot evaporating metastable system through an external pressure. The position and temperature dependence of the momentum and frequency dependent effective masses are taken into account. The agreement with experimental data, particularly its temperature dependence, is reasonably reproduced.