Thomas-Fermi fission barriers

Using the self-consistent Thomas-Fermi model from our earlier work, backed by the liquid-drop-model scaling rule for fission barriers, we have constructed a simple algebraic equation for Thomas-Fermi fission barriers. The equation is accurate for proton numbers greater than about 70 and for neutron numbers up to at least 20 units on either side of beta stability. This has made it possible to make a comprehensive comparison of the Thomas-Fermi theory with 120 measured fission barriers. {copyright} {ital 1999} {ital The American Physical Society}