Physical review. B./Physical review. B
Exploiting the links between ground-state correlations and independent-fermion entropy in the Hubbard model
T. S. Müller, W. Töws, G. M. Pastor
Abstract
The ground-state properties of the half-filled Hubbard model are investigated in the framework of lattice density functional theory. The single-particle density matrix ${\ensuremath{\gamma}}_{ij\ensuremath{\sigma}}$ is regarded as the central variable of the many-body problem, where $i$ and $j$ refer to the lattice sites and $\ensuremath{\sigma}$ to the spin. The interaction-energy functional $W[{\ensuremath{\gamma}}_{ij\ensuremath{\sigma}}]$ is calculated exactly for representative finite periodic systems by performing exact Lanczos diagonalizations. The relationship between $W[{\ensuremath{\gamma}}_{ij\ensuremath{\sigma}}]$ and the entropy $S[{\ensuremath{\eta}}_{\mathbit{k}\ensuremath{\sigma}}]$ of independent fermions with natural-orbital occupations ${\ensuremath{\eta}}_{\mathbit{k}\ensuremath{\sigma}}$ is analyzed. A simple approximation to the interaction energy of the half-filled Hubbard model is proposed, which takes the form $W=W(S[{\ensuremath{\eta}}_{\mathbit{k}\ensuremath{\sigma}}])$. Using this functional we derive the ground-state energy, kinetic energy, average number of double occupations, charge distribution, magnetic susceptibility, and field-induced spin polarization in one-, two-, and three-dimensional periodic lattices. The limit of infinite dimensions is also explored. The accuracy of the method is assessed by comparison with available exact numerical or analytical results. Goals, limitations, and possible extensions of the domain of applicability of the functional are discussed.