ISSN:
1089-7690
Source:
AIP Digital Archive
Topics:
Physics
,
Chemistry and Pharmacology
Notes:
Using an integral expression which is based on the use of discretized path integrals, the one-particle density matrix is evaluated for individual fermions in a one- and three-dimensional harmonic well. In this regard, the present paper improves and extends work previously done by Handler. By deriving a closed form expression for the path integral with finite discretization, the density is expressed as a one-dimensional integral that can be evaluated numerically. In addition, the trace of this density matrix, which corresponds to the number of particles present as a function of the Fermi energy, is evaluated in closed form. For finite discretization, the function is continuous in the Fermi energy, but approaches the correct discontinuous limit as the discretization becomes large. Oscillations are observed at the discontinuities analogous to the Gibbs phenomenon of Fourier analysis. Calculations of the density show a marked improvement in the classically allowed region when the discretization is only one level beyond the simple Thomas–Fermi theory. The density also penetrates into the classically forbidden region as the discretization is increased, but the presence of negative oscillations requires a higher level of discretization for a proper description in this region.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.457892
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