Options for angular momentum projection II: A finite sum representation of the Hill-Wheeler projector

Abstract

An exact and finite sum representation of the Hill-Wheeler projection operator is obtained under the provision that the state on which the operator acts can be expanded as

$$\left| {\psi _\alpha } \right\rangle = \sum\limits_{J = J_{\min } }^{J_{\max } } {c_J^\alpha \left| {J,\alpha } \right\rangle .} $$

The result provides a definite advantage over numerical integration methods, especially if high spin states are considered.