Deriving the effective potential due to screening

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on deriving the effective potential due to screening in metals using the Lindhard dielectric function. The effective potential is expressed as U_{eff}( \vec{r} ) ∝ cos( 2 k_{F}r)/r^{3} in the limit as r approaches infinity in three dimensions. Key equations include the Lindhard dielectric function ε( \vec{k}, 0) and the relationship U_{eff}( \vec{k}) = U( \vec{k})/ε( \vec{k}, 0). The challenge lies in performing the Fourier transform and addressing the divergence encountered in the Taylor expansion of 1/ε( \vec{k}).

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Lindhard dielectric function and its application in solid-state physics.
  • Familiarity with Fourier transforms in the context of potential theory.
  • Knowledge of Fermi wavevector (k_{F}) and Thomas-Fermi wavevector (κ^{2}_{TF}).
  • Proficiency in Taylor series expansion and handling logarithmic divergences.
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation of the Lindhard dielectric function in detail.
  • Learn about Fourier transforms of potentials in three-dimensional space.
  • Investigate techniques for managing divergences in Taylor expansions.
  • Explore applications of effective potential in condensed matter physics.
USEFUL FOR

Physicists, particularly those specializing in condensed matter physics, students tackling advanced solid-state physics problems, and researchers interested in the effective potential in metal screening phenomena.

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Homework Statement



I'm supposed to show that the Lindhard dielectric functions gives a contribution to the effective potential of a metals as

U_{eff}( \vec{r} ) \propto \frac{cos( 2 k_{F}r)}{r^{3}}

in the limit of r\rightarrow\infty for d = 3 (3 dimensions)

Homework Equations



Lindhard dielectric function:
\epsilon(\vec{k},0) = 1 + \frac{\kappa^{2}_{TF}}{2k^{2}} ( 1 + \frac{1}{4k_{F}}\frac{4k^{2}_{F}-k^{2}}{2k}\ln \frac{2k_{F}+k}{2k_{F}-k}) = \epsilon(\vec{k})

U_{eff}(\vec{k}) = \frac{U(\vec{k})}{\epsilon(\vec{k},0)}

U(\vec{k}) = \frac{4 \pi e^{2}}{k^{2}}

U_{eff}(\vec{r}) is the inverse (spatial) Fourier transform of U_{eff}(\vec{k})

k_{F} is the Fermi wavevector

\kappa^{2}_{TF} is the Thomas-Fermi wavevector (constant)

The Attempt at a Solution


I've tried to Taylor expand \frac{1}{\epsilon(\vec{k})} around 2k_{F} but the first derivative contains the logarithm which is divergent. I tried this because one of my classmates recommended it.

I tried to perform the Fourier transform by
U_{eff}(\vec{r}) \propto \int d\vec{k} e^{i \vec{k}\bullet\vec{r}}\frac{U(\vec{k})}{\epsilon(\vec{k},0)} \propto \int k^{2} dk d(cos(\theta)) d\phi e^{i k r cos(\theta)}\frac{U(\vec{k})}{\epsilon(\vec{k},0)} \propto \int k^{2} dk \frac{U(\vec{k})}{\epsilon(\vec{k},0)} \frac{e^{ikr} - e^{-ikr}}{ikr} \propto \frac{1}{r}\int dk \frac{1}{k \epsilon(\vec{k})} sin(kr)

This is kinda where I'm stuck.
How do I proceed from here?
Or am I supposed to have done something else?
 
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The logarithm diverges, but it is multiplied by 0 (for the first term in the Taylor expansion).
 
I know that.

The problem is how to simplify/rewrite that expression (the last one) into something solveable...
 

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