When does the Hartree-Fock approximation fail?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the Hartree-Fock approximation in quantum mechanics, specifically focusing on its limitations and when it may fail. Participants explore the implications of using single Slater determinants versus multiple types of Slater determinants in wave function descriptions.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster questions the nature of wave functions when the Hartree-Fock approximation fails, specifically regarding the use of multiple Slater determinants. Other participants inquire about the conditions under which mean field approximations fail, including non-adiabatic processes and the effects of nuclear forces.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants providing insights into the limitations of the Hartree-Fock approximation and raising related questions. There is no explicit consensus yet, but various perspectives on the topic are being explored.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention specific contexts, such as nuclear physics, which may influence the applicability of the Hartree-Fock approximation. There is also a note about the potential need for a new thread if the question changes significantly.

iibewegung
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Homework Statement



Hi, I've read from Wikipedia that in the Hartree-Fock approximation, "Each energy eigenfunction is assumed to be describable by a single Slater determinant".

My question is... if the approximation fails and the system has to be described by linear combinations of more than one type of Slater determinants, what type of wave functions would they be determinants of? (besides the one-electron wave functions)
 
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You can't have Hartee Fock if the potential the particles move is is not the mean field. To answer the question "when does the Hartree-Fock approximation fail? "
 
Thanks for the answer.
actually... i decided to change the question to the one you see now (edited) on the first msg, a few minutes after writing it the first time...

i was able to change the body of the msg but not the title of the thread.
can this new question be answered here as well?

.. or is it a better idea to start a new thread with the right title?
 
just to ask - when would a mean field approximation fail?
Non-adiabatic processes?
 
Well I come from nuclear physics point of view, and the MFA fails when one takes into account the hard repulsive core of the Nuclear force at short distances.

But what it is called in general, I have no clue :)
 

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