Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

Mathematical Proceedings of the Cambridge Philosophical Society

On the three-body problem

John Lekner

Published Jan 1, 1973• 3 citations
Publisher

Abstract

Abstract We consider the ground state of a system of three interacting particles of equal mass. An integro-differential equation is obtained for the optimum pair function f in the product wavefunction Ψ(123) = f(12)f(13)f(23). The solution for harmonic forces reproduces the known exact ground state. Approximate analytic solutions are obtained for inverse-square forces, and for a general force law in the semiclassical limit.

DOI
10.1017/s0305004100047599

Related papers

Ground state of a system of many Bose particles

John Lekner

Abstract A many-body variational calculation is carried out using a trial wave function which is a product of pair functions. An exact integro-differential equation for the pair function is derived, valid for any system of more than three Bose particles.

Mathematical Proceedings of the Cambridge Philosophical Society•May 1, 1972•3 citations

Ground State of a One-Dimensional N -Body System

Francesco Calogero

The problem of N quantum-mechanical equal particles interacting pairwise by inverse-cube forces (``centrifugal potential'') in addition to linear forces (``harmonical potential'') is considered in a onedimensional space. An explicit expression for the ground-state energy and for the corresponding wavefunction is exhibited. A class of excited states is similarly displayed.

Journal of Mathematical Physics•Dec 1, 1969•550 citations

Exact quantum solutions of extraordinary N -body problems

D. Lynden-Bell, R. M. Lynden-Bell

The wave functions of boson and fermion gases are known even when the particles have harmonic interactions. Here we generalize these results by solving exactly the N–body Schrödinger equation for potentials V that can be any function of the sum of the squares of the distances of the particles from one another in three dimensions. For the harmonic case that function is linear in r2. Explicit N–body solutions are given when U(r) = –2Mh–2V(r) = 𝛇r–1 – 𝛇2r–2. Here M is the sum of the masses and r2 = 1/2 M–2ΣmImJ(xI – xJ)2. For general U(r) the solution is given in terms of the one– or two–body problem with potential U(r) in three dimensions. The degeneracies of the levels are derived for distinguishable particles, for bosons of spin zero and for spin 1/2 fermions. The latter involve significant combinatorial analysis which may have application to the shell model of atomic nuclei. For large N the fermionic ground state gives the binding energy of a degenerate white dwarf star treated as a giant atom with an N–body wave function. The N–body forces involved in these extraordinary N–body problems are not the usual sums of two–body interactions, but nor are forces between quarks or molecules. Bose–Einstein condensation of particles in three dimensions interacting via these strange potentials can be treated by this method.

arXiv:cond-mat/9904019•Proceedings of the Royal Society A Mathematical Physical and Engineering Sciences•Sep 8, 1999•11 citations

The quantum mechanical few-body problem

John W. Norbury

A solution to quantum mechanical problems of two, three, and four bodies is discussed from the point of view of two-body harmonic oscillator forces. An exact solution to the three- and four-body problems is found for harmonic oscillator forces, assuming equal masses. The aim of the discussion is to make students aware of the real difficulties of the few-body problem.

American Journal of Physics•Mar 1, 1989•5 citations

Harmonic oscillator field theory. I. Classical and semiclassical large-N limit

Ahmed A. Abouelsaood, A Abuelseoud

A field theoretical formulation of the rather easy problem of N identical, one-dimensional bosons, interacting pairwise via harmonic oscillator potentials of equal force constants is given, in a way similar to the way the nonlinear Schrodinger model provides a field theoretical formulation of a one-dimensional, delta -function Bose gas. The nonlinear integro-differential equation obtained for the complex scalar field of the model is treated classically, and solved in the semiclassical limit of a large number of particles. Working in the centre of mass frame of the field, a sequence of operators that would raise or lower the energy of a state by definite amounts without changing its particle number are constructed from certain bilinear expressions in the field. These operators have, in the limit of a large number of particles, commutation relations similar to those of the Fourier modes of a compact free field, except that the first mode is missing as a result of the fact that the field in the centre of mass frame is subject to the obvious constraint that its centre of mass always coincides with the coordinate origin. The quantum states can be labelled by the total centre of mass momentum, and the quasi-particle numbers in each of the independent oscillator modes. The energy spectrum of the system is calculated, giving the same results as the exact, quantum-mechanical N-body analysis.

Journal of Physics A Mathematical and General•Oct 7, 1993•1 citation

Exact solution of a one-dimensional three-body scattering problem with two-body and/or three-body inverse-square potentials

Francesco Calogero, Carlo Marchioro

The exact solution is presented of the scattering problem of three equal particles interacting in one-dimension via two- and/or three-body inverse-square potentials. Both the classical and the quantal problems are treated. It is shown that the outcome of this scattering problem is an extremely simple relation between initial and final momenta, the latter being univocally determined by the former even in the quantal case. The solvability of the problem, and the simple results just mentioned, are peculiar to the equal particle case.

Journal of Mathematical Physics•Sep 1, 1974•101 citations
Abstract We consider the ground state of a system of three interacting particles of equal mass. An integro-differential equation is obtained for the optimum pair function f in the product wavefunction Ψ(123) = f(12)f(13)f(23). The solution for harmonic forces reproduces the known exact ground state. Approximate analytic solutions are obtained for inverse-square forces, and for a general force law in the semiclassical limit.
The wave functions of boson and fermion gases are known even when the particles have harmonic interactions. Here we generalize these results by solving exactly the N–body Schrödinger equation for potentials V that can be any function of the sum of the squares of the distances of the particles from one another in three dimensions. For the harmonic case that function is linear in r2. Explicit N–body solutions are given when U(r) = –2Mh–2V(r) = 𝛇r–1 – 𝛇2r–2. Here M is the sum of the masses and r2 = 1/2 M–2ΣmImJ(xI – xJ)2. For general U(r) the solution is given in terms of the one– or two–body problem with potential U(r) in three dimensions. The degeneracies of the levels are derived for distinguishable particles, for bosons of spin zero and for spin 1/2 fermions. The latter involve significant combinatorial analysis which may have application to the shell model of atomic nuclei. For large N the fermionic ground state gives the binding energy of a degenerate white dwarf star treated as a giant atom with an N–body wave function. The N–body forces involved in these extraordinary N–body problems are not the usual sums of two–body interactions, but nor are forces between quarks or molecules. Bose–Einstein condensation of particles in three dimensions interacting via these strange potentials can be treated by this method.
A field theoretical formulation of the rather easy problem of N identical, one-dimensional bosons, interacting pairwise via harmonic oscillator potentials of equal force constants is given, in a way similar to the way the nonlinear Schrodinger model provides a field theoretical formulation of a one-dimensional, delta -function Bose gas. The nonlinear integro-differential equation obtained for the complex scalar field of the model is treated classically, and solved in the semiclassical limit of a large number of particles. Working in the centre of mass frame of the field, a sequence of operators that would raise or lower the energy of a state by definite amounts without changing its particle number are constructed from certain bilinear expressions in the field. These operators have, in the limit of a large number of particles, commutation relations similar to those of the Fourier modes of a compact free field, except that the first mode is missing as a result of the fact that the field in the centre of mass frame is subject to the obvious constraint that its centre of mass always coincides with the coordinate origin. The quantum states can be labelled by the total centre of mass momentum, and the quasi-particle numbers in each of the independent oscillator modes. The energy spectrum of the system is calculated, giving the same results as the exact, quantum-mechanical N-body analysis.
The exact solution is presented of the scattering problem of three equal particles interacting in one-dimension via two- and/or three-body inverse-square potentials. Both the classical and the quantal problems are treated. It is shown that the outcome of this scattering problem is an extremely simple relation between initial and final momenta, the latter being univocally determined by the former even in the quantal case. The solvability of the problem, and the simple results just mentioned, are peculiar to the equal particle case.