Journal of Mathematical Physics
Effective potential determining one-dimensional Slater sum in independent-particle theory
Norman Henry March
Abstract
Hilton, March, and Curtis have earlier focused on the utility of the effective potential U(r,β) in determining the Slater sum Z(r,β)=Z0(β)exp(−βU(r,β)). Here an explicit, though highly nonlinear, partial differential equation is derived for determining the effective potential U(x,β) in one-dimensional problems. Direct solution of this equation by power series expansion in β leads readily to Husimi’s results obtained from off-diagonal density matrix calculations. Perturbation theory in the potential is also developed, and thereby it is shown that an infinite subseries of the Husimi expansion is readily summed, and that a scaling property is exhibited.