Coulomb integrals of spherical Bessel functions

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the analytical solution of Coulomb integrals involving spherical Bessel functions, specifically in the context of quantum mechanics and computational methods for calculating integrals relevant to configuration interaction (CI) calculations in idealized colloidal nanostructures. Participants explore various formulations and approaches to evaluate these integrals.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant seeks an analytical solution for the integral involving spherical Bessel functions and the Coulomb potential.
  • Another suggests expressing the spherical Bessel functions in terms of a specific equation from a reference, though the utility of this approach is questioned.
  • A participant proposes a modified integral with limits from 0 to R, questioning how this change might simplify the problem.
  • Concerns are raised about the clarity of the original problem statement and the need for further elaboration on the integrals involved.
  • One participant expresses uncertainty about the mathematical concepts involved, such as the Wronskian, and seeks guidance on simplifying the integrand.
  • Another participant references the application of Legendre polynomials to convert the Coulomb operator into a more manageable form, suggesting that this could lead to a solution.
  • There is a discussion about the volume elements in the integrals, with participants clarifying the correct form of the differential elements.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the best approach to solve the integrals, and multiple competing views and methods are presented throughout the discussion.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty about the implications of switching to a cubic potential and its effect on the integrals and angular momentum considerations. There are also unresolved questions regarding the mathematical steps and assumptions necessary for evaluating the integrals.

Ben Wilson
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Hi, I'm no expert in math so I'm struggling with solving these integrals, I believe there's an analytical solution (maybe in http://www.hfa1.physics.msstate.edu/046.pdf).
$$V_{1234}=\int_{x=0}^{\infty}\int_{y=0}^{\infty}d^3\pmb{x}d^3\pmb{y}\, j_{l_1}^*(a_1\pmb{x})j_{l_2}(a_2\pmb{x})|\pmb{x}-\pmb{y}|^{-1}j_{l_3}^*(a_3\pmb{y})j_{l_4}(a_4\pmb{y})$$
where $j_l(r)$ are spherical Bessel functions. Does anyone know how to solve these integrals analytically?
 
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DrDu said:
I would try to express the spherical Bessel functions in terms of eq. 10.54.2 from http://dlmf.nist.gov/10.54
i don't know how this helps, could you elaborate on your next step?

what if the integral was... $$
V_{1234}=\int_{x=0}^{R}\int_{y=0}^{R}dxdy\, j_{l_1}^*(z_{l_1}x/R)j_{l_2}(z_{l_2}x/R)|x-y|^{-1}j_{l_3}^*(z_{l_3}y/R)j_{l_4}(z_{l_4}y/R) $$
where z_l is the first root of the l-th order spherical Bessel function
 
I think it would be helpful if you could state your original problem.
 
DrDu said:
I think it would be helpful if you could state your original problem.
im lookin for an analytical way of solving these integrals, specifically the second one, for use as a basis set in a full CI calculation on idealized colloidal nanostructures, hence infinite spherical well solutions - the bessel functions :)

if i turn my integrand into a product of integrals themselve, does this lead to some simplifications? how does this work?
 
Ben Wilson said:
im lookin for an analytical way of solving these integrals, specifically the second one, for use as a basis set in a full CI calculation on idealized colloidal nanostructures, hence infinite spherical well solutions - the bessel functions :)

if i turn my integrand into a product of integrals themselve, does this lead to some simplifications? how does this work?
and to give you a clue of my level of math, I have no idea what a Wronskian is haha

I've tried solving this using mathematica but i can't figure out how to do it.
really appreciate your help btw
 
DrDu said:
I think it would be helpful if you could state your original problem.
to further elaborate, I'm trying show that a CI code works, and so I chose to have single particle states in an inf sph potential thinking that my Coulomb integrals i need in my CI hamiltonian for my system would have some nice neat forms. I'm starting to doubt this haha.

I'm contemplating switching to a cubic potential but that impacts on demonstrating angular momenta in the way I want to from my CI code. Would you expect things to be easier for me with solutions to a cubic potential?(i.e. same integrals but the bessell functions are replaced with sines and cosines)
 
Ben Wilson said:
i don't know how this helps, could you elaborate on your next step?

what if the integral was... $$
V_{1234}=\int_{x=0}^{R}\int_{y=0}^{R}dxdy\, j_{l_1}^*(z_{l_1}x/R)j_{l_2}(z_{l_2}x/R)|x-y|^{-1}j_{l_3}^*(z_{l_3}y/R)j_{l_4}(z_{l_4}y/R) $$
where z_l is the first root of the l-th order spherical Bessel function
Don't forget the ##x^2## and ##y^2## from the volume elements!
 
Ben, have a look at "Application of the Legendre polynomials in physics":
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legendre_polynomials
The formula stated there is used to convert the coulomb operator into a sum of two operators depending only on x and y and some Legendre polynomials.
The integral over the latter together with the angular dependence of your wavefunctions restricts the summation to a small number of terms.
The remaining integrals involve only products of two Bessel functions and powers of x or y. This is the kind of integrals covered by the article you cited.
I expect that this problem has been tackled before, probably in nuclear physics. So maybe you find a solution there more readily.
Edit: Have a look here:
http://k2.chem.uh.edu/library/Index/UnCatagorized/PRB35118.pdf
 
Last edited:
  • #10
DrDu said:
Don't forget the ##x^2## and ##y^2## from the volume elements!
do you mean $$d^3\pmb{x} \to x^2 dx$$ or something else?
 
  • #11
Ben Wilson said:
do you mean $$d^3\pmb{x} \to x^2 dx$$ or something else?
yes, I meant this.
 

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