Variational method for the quantum statistics of interacting particles

Marvin D. Girardeau

A general variational approach to the quantum statistics of many-particle systems is developed, based on the Gibbs-Bogoliubov variational principle and the ``thermodynamically equivalent Hamiltonian'' method first applied to the BCS model by Bogoliubov, Zubarev, and Tserkovnikov [Sov. Phys.---Dokl. 2, 535 (1957)] and subsequently generalized by Wentzel [Phys. Rev. 120, 1572 (1960)]. The method retains a judiciously chosen discrete set of momentum transfers in the second-quantized interaction Hamiltonian. It is expected to be applicable to a variety of systems including both crystalline solids and quantum fluids such as liquids and dense plasma phases.

Elliot W. Montroll, John Ward

Marvin D. Girardeau

A variational method is developed for calculating the thermodynamic potential of quantum-mechanical many-body systems with pair-wise interactions. The method is based on Peierls' theorem and yields an upper bound to the thermodynamic potential density in the limit of an infinite system. Evaluation and minimization of the bound involves solution of a set of coupled nonlinear integral equations for the distribution function of elementary excitations and for functions defining a unitary transformation from bare particles to elementary excitations. Application of the theory to the BCS model of superconductivity reproduces the BCS results, and application to a degenerate imperfect Bose gas gives equations which are shown to be equivalent to those of Tolmachev and Wentzel.

R. Giachetti, V. Tognetti, Ruggero Vaia

Albrecht Huber

A. L. Kuzemsky

The approach to the theory of many-particle interacting systems from a unified standpoint, based on the variational principle for free energy is reviewed. A systematic discussion is given of the approximate free energies of complex statistical systems. The analysis is centered around the variational principle of Bogoliubov for free energy in the context of its applications to various problems of statistical mechanics. The review presents a terse discussion of selected works carried out over the past few decades on the theory of many-particle interacting systems in terms of the variational inequalities. It is the purpose of this paper to discuss some of the general principles which form the mathematical background to this approach and to establish a connection of the variational technique with other methods, such as the method of the mean (or self-consistent) field in the many-body problem. The method is illustrated by applying it to various systems of many-particle interacting systems, such as Ising, Heisenberg and Hubbard models, superconducting (SC) and superfluid systems, etc. This work proposes a new, general and pedagogical presentation, intended both for those who are interested in basic aspects and for those who are interested in concrete applications.