A 2nd Quantization states

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The discussion revolves around the application of the Pariser-Parr-Pople model to a benzene ring, focusing on the implications of a non-diagonal Hamiltonian. It highlights that if the ground state is not an eigenstate of the Hamiltonian, the wave function |Psi_0> will likely be a superposition of eigenstates, indicating that electrons are not localized to individual atoms. The interaction terms in the Hamiltonian lead to a non-diagonal matrix, necessitating diagonalization to find the appropriate eigenvectors. The conversation emphasizes the need for clarity in understanding these concepts, as the textbook lacks detailed examples. Overall, the complexity of electron behavior in this model is underscored by the necessity of superposition and interaction effects.
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I'm currently reading a textbook that is introducing second quantization, and it is using the pariser parr pople model as an example. I realized I was confused on what form the states of such a model would take.
As a heads up, I'm really sorry but I can never get latex to work when I hit preview on physicsforums for some reason. Haven't been able to figure it out across multiple browsers.

So for a bit of context, this question is for the pariser parr pople model applied to something such as a benzene ring, with one orbital per carbon atom. Towards the end of this section, the textbook says the following:

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Where n_s gives the number of electrons at site s, and Z_s is the effective nuclear positive charge of atom s.


If the ground state isn't an eigenstate of H, ie h_ss' =/= 0, what |Psi_0> look like? My intuition tells me that seeing as the electron won't be soley localized to each atom, there'd be some kind of superposition where the electron at s = 1 could also be at s = 2 or s = N (and soforth for all the other electrons) but I wasn't quite sure. The textbook has unfortunately been very scant with examples.
 
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Yup, it should most likely be a superposition of the eigenstates of ##\widehat{n}_s##. If the Hamiltonian contains interaction terms such that its matrix is non-diagonal, then after the diagonalization its appropriate eigenvectors (in particular, the ground state with the lowest energy) will be given by linear combinations of the basis vectors which labeled the rows and columns of this original non-diagonal Hamiltonian matrix.
 
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Insights auto threads is broken atm, so I'm manually creating these for new Insight articles. Towards the end of the first lecture for the Qiskit Global Summer School 2025, Foundations of Quantum Mechanics, Olivia Lanes (Global Lead, Content and Education IBM) stated... Source: https://www.physicsforums.com/insights/quantum-entanglement-is-a-kinematic-fact-not-a-dynamical-effect/ by @RUTA

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