Fermi gas

Luis Grave de Peralta

Background : The theory of a Fermi gas constitutes a useful physical model with multiple applications from solid state to stellar physics. The theory of a non-relativistic Fermi gas is relatively simple when compared with the one for a relativistic Fermi gas. Therefore, it would be useful if a rigorous theory of a relativistic Fermi gas could be constructed like the theory of a non-relativistic Fermi gas. Methods : Such a theory, for T > 0 K, is presented here. It is based on using a recently reported formula for the energies of a relativistic spin-0 particle in a three-dimensional infinite well. The Pauli exclusion principle is used for taking care of the fermion nature of the particles forming a Fermi gas. Results : A unified description of a Fermi gas at low temperatures is presented. This description is valid from the non-relativistic to the ultra-relativistic limits. Moreover, it is simple. The theory follows the relatively simple approach often used for constructing the theory of a non-relativistic Fermi gas. Conclusions : The ultra-relativistic results reported here are often obtained using a different approach than the one used in this work. These results are not new, but they corroborate the correctness of the presented approach. In addition, the relative simplicity of the approach presented in this work allows for teaching the theory of a relativistic Fermi gas in introductory quantum mechanics courses.

Ke Liu, Jisheng Chen

Due to the scale invariance, the thermodynamic laws of strongly interacting limit unitary Fermi gas can be similar to those of non-interacting ideal gas. For example, the virial theorem between pressure and energy density of the ideal gas P = 2 E /3 V is still satisfied by the unitary Fermi gas. This paper analyses the sound velocity of unitary Fermi gases with the quasi-linear approximation. For comparison, the sound velocities for the ideal Boltzmann, Bose and Fermi gas are also given. Quite interestingly, the sound velocity formula for the ideal non-interacting gas is found to be satisfied by the unitary Fermi gas in different temperature regions.

Walter Greiner, Ludwig Neise, Horst Stöcker B

Hui Liu

The properties of an ideal Fermi gas in finite gravitational field are studied,based on the semiclassical(Thomas-Fermi) approximation.The general analytical expressions of the total energy,Fermi energy,chemical potential and heat capacity are derived.Moreover,the analytical expressions of the chemical potential and heat capacity in the high-and low-temperature approximations are given,and then,the example of electron gas is used to calculate exactly.All these results are compared with those of free Fermi gas and Fermi gas in infinite gravitational field.The effects of finite gravitational field on properties of Fermi gas are discussed.