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Coulomb Systems at Low Density: A Review

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Abstract

Results on the correlations of low-density classical and quantum Coulomb systems at equilibrium in three dimensions are reviewed. The exponential decay of particle correlations in the classical Coulomb system, Debye–Hückel screening, is compared and contrasted with the quantum case, where strong arguments are presented for the absence of exponential screening. Results and techniques for detailed calculations that determine the asymptotic decay of correlations for quantum systems are discussed. Theorems on the existence of molecules in the Saha regime are reviewed. Finally, new combinatoric formulas for the coefficients of Mayer expansions are presented and their role in proofs of results on Debye–Hückel screening is discussed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mathematics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, 22903

    David C. Brydges

  2. Institut de Physique Théorique, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, CH-1015, Lausane, Switzerland

    Ph. A. Martin

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  1. David C. Brydges
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Brydges, D.C., Martin, P.A. Coulomb Systems at Low Density: A Review. Journal of Statistical Physics 96, 1163–1330 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1004600603161

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