Understanding 2nd Order Correlation in Fock States and Density Functions

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the second order correlation function in the context of Fock states and density functions, specifically addressing the application of Wick's theorem in quantum many-body physics. Participants explore the mathematical formulation and implications of the correlation function, focusing on the terms involved and their derivations.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents a formula for the second order density correlation function and expresses confusion about a specific term in the equation.
  • Another participant challenges the application of Wick's theorem, suggesting that the relation used does not hold in general for the two-body density matrix.
  • A participant defends their interpretation of Wick's theorem, arguing that for Fock states, certain terms vanish due to particle number conservation, and seeks clarification on the correct form of the theorem for bosons.
  • Further clarification is requested regarding the application of Wick's theorem in the context of general superpositions of states, indicating that the two-body reduced density matrix cannot be simplified as suggested.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the application of Wick's theorem and the validity of the proposed correlation function. There is no consensus on the correct interpretation or formulation, and the discussion remains unresolved.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include potential misunderstandings of the application of Wick's theorem, dependence on specific definitions of density matrices, and the implications of particle statistics in Fock space. The discussion highlights the complexity of deriving correlation functions in quantum many-body systems.

babylonia
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Hi all,

I read on some paper that for a system of Fock state |...nk...>, and with the field operator expanded as
[tex]\Psi[/tex](r)=[tex]\sum[/tex]ak [tex]\phi[/tex]k(r), the second order density correlation function can be expressed as
G(2)=<[tex]\Psi[/tex]+(r)[tex]\Psi[/tex]+(r')[tex]\Psi[/tex](r')[tex]\Psi[/tex](r)>=<n(r)><n(r')>+|<[tex]\Psi[/tex](r)+[tex]\Psi[/tex](r')>|2-[tex]\sum[/tex][tex]^{N}_{k}[/tex] nk ( nk +1) |[tex]\phi[/tex]*(r)|2|[tex]\phi[/tex](r')|2.
I have no idea how the last term, ie. the term after the minus sign, come out? If I use the Wick's theorem for
<a+ka+laman>=<a+kam><a+lan>[tex]\delta[/tex]k,m[tex]\delta[/tex]l,n+<a+kan><a+lam>[tex]\delta[/tex]k,n[tex]\delta[/tex]l,m,
so why in the 2nd correlation there are additional terms after '-'?

This seems really strange, can anybody help me? Thank you.
 
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I didn't check your formula for the correlation function, but your Wick theorem looks wrong to me. You have a two-body density matrix on the left and on the right you have only one-body density matrices. Did you apply a relation like
[tex]\langle a^+_k a_m a^+_l a_n\rangle = \langle a^+_k a_m\rangle\langle a^+_l a_n\rangle?[/tex]
Because such a relation does generally *not* hold.
 
cgk said:
I didn't check your formula for the correlation function, but your Wick theorem looks wrong to me. You have a two-body density matrix on the left and on the right you have only one-body density matrices. Did you apply a relation like
[tex]\langle a^+_k a_m a^+_l a_n\rangle = \langle a^+_k a_m\rangle\langle a^+_l a_n\rangle?[/tex]
Because such a relation does generally *not* hold.

Hi,

Thanks a lot for your reply. I think for Fock state the Wick theorem leads to [tex]\langle a^+_k a^+_l a_m a_n\rangle = \langle a^+_k a_m\rangle\langle a^+_l a_n\rangle \delta_{k,m}\delta_{l,n}+\langle a^+_k a_n\rangle\langle a^+_l a_m\rangle\delta_{k,n}\delta_{l,m}[/tex], because particle number conservation requires the other terms in the full expression given by wick theorem to vanish. And sorry I forgot to mention that my problem is for bosons. If this is wrong, why, and what is the correct form?

Thanks
 
babylonia said:
I think for Fock state the Wick theorem leads to [tex]\langle a^+_k a^+_l a_m a_n\rangle = \langle a^+_k a_m\rangle\langle a^+_l a_n\rangle \delta_{k,m}\delta_{l,n}+\langle a^+_k a_n\rangle\langle a^+_l a_m\rangle\delta_{k,n}\delta_{l,m}[/tex], because particle number conservation requires the other terms in the full expression given by wick theorem to vanish. And sorry I forgot to mention that my problem is for bosons. If this is wrong, why, and what is the correct form?
Sorry, I might have misunderstood your post: By "In Fock Space", do you mean for a single permanent[1] (or for some mean field approximation?)? Because for a general superposition of permanents no such relation holds, and the two-body reduced density matrix [tex]\langle a^+_k a^+_l a_m a_n\rangle[/tex] in general cannot be reduced to anything which is itself less than a two-body (mixed) density matrix. So by applying (only) the Wick theorem, you could have, for example, something like [2]
[tex]\langle a^+_k a^+_l a_m a_n\rangle = \langle a^+_k a_m a^+_l a_n\rangle + \delta_{ml} \langle a^+_k a_n\rangle[/tex]
but that still has a two-body density matrix in it and is still far from your expression for G. You might need to apply some other relations, too.

[1] that's the positive-symmetry version of a determinant
[2] how exactly the Wick theorem looks depends on whether there is a normal order imposed on the operators, and if it is, which reference it applies to.
 

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