We discuss exact functional integral expressions for many-body matrix elements of the type ⟨ψ, A |e −βĤ |ψ, A ⟩, between particle number projected Hartree–Fock–Bogoliubov (HFB) wavefunctions with time-reversal symmetry. A proof of positivity is given for a class of Hamiltonians and when the HFB wavefunctions with time-reversal symmetry are particle number projected to an even number of particles. We show explicitly how to reduce the propagator in the functional integral to a Hermitian positive definite propagator for particle pairs. This result generalizes that previously obtained using Bardeen–Cooper–Schrieffer wavefunctions.We discuss exact functional integral expressions for many-body matrix elements of the type ⟨ψ, A |e −βĤ |ψ, A ⟩, between particle number projected Hartree–Fock–Bogoliubov (HFB) wavefunctions with time-reversal symmetry. A proof of positivity is given for a class of Hamiltonians and when the HFB wavefunctions with time-reversal symmetry are particle number projected to an even number of particles. We show explicitly how to reduce the propagator in the functional integral to a Hermitian positive definite propagator for particle pairs. This result generalizes that previously obtained using Bardeen–Cooper–Schrieffer wavefunctions.

Journal of Physics A Mathematical and GeneralSep 5, 20021 citation

Particle-number projection in the finite-temperature mean-field approximation

P. Fanto, Y. Alhassid, G. F. Bertsch

Finite-temperature mean-field theories, such as the Hartree--Fock (HF) and Hartree--Fock--Bogoliubov (HFB) theories, are formulated in the grand-canonical ensemble, and their applications to the calculation of statistical properties of nuclei such as level densities require a reduction to the canonical ensemble. In a previous publication [Y. Alhassid et al., Phys. Rev. C 93, 044320 (2016)], it was found that ensemble-reduction methods based on the saddle-point approximation are not reliable in cases in which rotational symmetry or particle-number conservation is broken. In particular, the calculated HFB canonical entropy can be unphysical as a result of the inherent violation of particle-number conservation. In this work, we derive a general formula for exact particle-number projection after variation in the HFB approximation, assuming that the HFB Hamiltonian preserves time-reversal symmetry. This formula reduces to simpler known expressions in the HF and Bardeen--Cooper--Schrieffer (BCS) limits of the HFB. We apply this formula to calculate the thermodynamic quantities needed for level densities in the heavy nuclei $^{162}\mathrm{Dy}, ^{148}\mathrm{Sm}$ , and $^{150}\mathrm{Sm}$ . We find that the exact particle-number projection gives better physical results and is significantly more computationally efficient than the saddle-point methods. However, the fundamental limitations caused by broken symmetries in the mean-field approximation are still present.Finite-temperature mean-field theories, such as the Hartree--Fock (HF) and Hartree--Fock--Bogoliubov (HFB) theories, are formulated in the grand-canonical ensemble, and their applications to the calculation of statistical properties of nuclei such as level densities require a reduction to the canonical ensemble. In a previous publication [Y. Alhassid et al., Phys. Rev. C 93, 044320 (2016)], it was found that ensemble-reduction methods based on the saddle-point approximation are not reliable in cases in which rotational symmetry or particle-number conservation is broken. In particular, the calculated HFB canonical entropy can be unphysical as a result of the inherent violation of particle-number conservation. In this work, we derive a general formula for exact particle-number projection after variation in the HFB approximation, assuming that the HFB Hamiltonian preserves time-reversal symmetry. This formula reduces to simpler known expressions in the HF and Bardeen--Cooper--Schrieffer (BCS) limits of the HFB. We apply this formula to calculate the thermodynamic quantities needed for level densities in the heavy nuclei $^{162}\mathrm{Dy}, ^{148}\mathrm{Sm}$, and $^{150}\mathrm{Sm}$. We find that the exact particle-number projection gives better physical results and is significantly more computationally efficient than the saddle-point methods. However, the fundamental limitations caused by broken symmetries in the mean-field approximation are still present.

arXiv:1610.08954Physical Review CJul 7, 201718 citations

Physics of projected wavefunctions

Annals of PhysicsNov 1, 19881 citation

Symmetry restoration of HFB states using projection

Carl Frostenson

The restoration of particle number and angular momentum symmetry using projection operators has been theoretically investigated for mean-field Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov (HFB) states. A computer code for the projection of particle number was then implemented. To do so efficiently and avoid the sign ambiguity of the Onishi formula, the computation of overlap between quasi-particle vaccums using Pfaffians was investigated. Different algorithms for the the Pfaffian from~\cite{GBBertschRobledo},\cite{Wimmer}, was tested for performance and accuracy. For the same reason different truncations of the model space was also investigated. The particle number projector was then implemented in \textit{HOSPHE} \cite{Carlsson} for calculations of ground states pertaining to an effective Quadrupole plus Pairing Hamiltonian calculated using the SLy4 parametrization of the Skyrme interaction.The restoration of particle number and angular momentum symmetry using projection operators has been theoretically investigated for mean-field Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov (HFB) states. A computer code for the projection of particle number was then implemented. To do so efficiently and avoid the sign ambiguity of the Onishi formula, the computation of overlap between quasi-particle vaccums using Pfaffians was investigated. Different algorithms for the the Pfaffian from~\cite{GBBertschRobledo},\cite{Wimmer}, was tested for performance and accuracy. For the same reason different truncations of the model space was also investigated. The particle number projector was then implemented in \textit{HOSPHE} \cite{Carlsson} for calculations of ground states pertaining to an effective Quadrupole plus Pairing Hamiltonian calculated using the SLy4 parametrization of the Skyrme interaction.

Jan 1, 20190 citations

Finite-temperature HFB theory

Alan L. Goodman

Nuclear Physics AJan 1, 1981318 citations

^{162}\mathrm{Dy}, ^{148}\mathrm{Sm}

, and

^{150}\mathrm{Sm}

. We find that the exact particle-number projection gives better physical results and is significantly more computationally efficient than the saddle-point methods. However, the fundamental limitations caused by broken symmetries in the mean-field approximation are still present.