RKKY Interaction: Defining $\hat{H}$

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the RKKY interaction Hamiltonian defined as $\hat{H}=-J\sum_{i=1}^2\{\hat{s}_i^z\hat{S}_i^z+\frac{1}{2}(\hat{s}_i^+\hat{S}_i^{-}+\hat{s}_i^-\hat{S}_i^{+})\}$. Participants debate the use of the same index \(i\) for both fixed ions and conduction electrons, questioning the necessity of separate indices for clarity. The interaction is clarified as an indirect interaction between two fixed ions mediated by conduction electrons, emphasizing the importance of lattice site approximation in the RKKY context. A related question regarding the calculation of matrix elements is also referenced.

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LagrangeEuler
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Hamiltonian of interaction between fixed ion and conducting electron
##\hat{H}=-J\sum_{i=1}^2\{\hat{s}_i^z\hat{S}_i^z+\frac{1}{2}(\hat{s}_i^+\hat{S}_i^{-}+\hat{s}_i^-\hat{S}_i^{+})\}##
Why both electron and ion are defined with subscript ##i##?
 
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...and why does i run from 1 to 2?

Looks like a bug to me.

One would think that you need separate indices i and j to label the atoms and the (conduction) electrons, and that these would run over the number of particles in question.
 
There is two fixed ions. One ion polarised electron and that electron interract with secound ion. So between ions is indirect interraction.
 
OK, that makes sense. However, I would still expect the electron index to be independent of the ion. Remember that RKKY occurs in the conduction electrons of metals.
 
Well I think that if electron is near ion you could approximate that it is on the same lattice site ion lattice site. I asked question about calculating matrix element in this problem.
Here is that question.
https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=646675

I would be grateful if you could look and maybe answer this question.
 

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