Many-electron theory

Richard G. Forbes

This technical note provides a high-level overview of the present state of basic field electron emission (FE) theory, as suitable for use in the context of technological applications of FE theory. At present there is much theoretical confusion in FE literature, and a partial breakdown of the peer review system. Even in sensitive technological contexts, many papers have stated and used out-of-date theory that makes current-density predictions that are several hundred times less than those of modern FE theory. A primary aim of this note is to help reduce the confusion and error in future published FE literature. It is not intended as a detailed review of FE theory.

Stefan Lundqvist

Jincheng Zhang

This paper introduces the Universal Electron Traffic Theory (UETT), a novel framework that reframes electron movement not as a probabilistic quantum phenomenon of electron clouds, but as a deterministic process analogous to vehicular traffic flow on a highway system. UETT utilizes concepts from traffic engineering, specifically traffic flow models, to describe and predict electron behavior. The core of the theory posits that electrons, while possessing wave-like properties, primarily navigate through a defined "orbital" – analogous to a highway – experiencing phenomena such as congestion, splitting, and bottlenecks. This approach offers a unified and potentially more intuitive understanding of electron dynamics, moving beyond the complexities of quantum mechanics to a more accessible and predictable model. The theory is presented with key equations and symbols, providing a foundational framework for further research and exploration in this area.

ROBERT K. NESBET

A nonperturbative argument is used to derive a one-electron Hamiltonian whose eigenfunctions are in one-to-one correspondence with electron or hole quasiparticles of an N-electron system. Nonlocal exchange is included exactly, and self-energy terms due to electronic correlation are included at the level of approximation of a given N-electron wave function. When parametrized by quasiparticle occupation numbers, this one-electron Hamiltonian is the functional derivative of an exact N-electron energy functional, as in the Landau theory of interacting fermion systems. The present nonperturbative derivation extends the Landau theory to ordered or localized systems for which many-body perturbation theory is not directly applicable. Analysis of the Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer (BCS) reduced Hamiltonian for superconductors leads to a temperature-dependent energy gap and a transition temperature in good agreement with the BCS theory, in a formalism that conserves the number of electrons.

Mojmír Tomášek