Eur. Phys. J. B 25, 463-478 (2002)
https://doi.org/10.1140/epjb/e20020052

Ursell operators in statistical physics of dense systems: the role of high order operators and of exchange cycles

Laboratoire Kastler Brossel (The “Laboratoire Kastler Brossel (LKB)” is “Unité Mixte de Recherche du CNRS (UMR 8552) et de l'Université Pierre et Marie Curie (Paris)”.) , Département de Physique de l'ENS, 24 rue Lhomond, 75005 Paris, France

Corresponding author: ^a franck.laloe@lkb.ens.fr

Received: 18 October 2001
Published online: 15 February 2002

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to discuss cluster expansions in dense quantum systems, as well as their interconnection with exchange cycles. We show in general how the Ursell operators of order contribute to an exponential which corresponds to a mean-field energy involving the second operator U₂, instead of the potential itself as usual – in other words, the mean-field correction is expressed in terms of a modification of a local Boltzmann equilibrium. In a first part, we consider classical statistical mechanics and recall the relation between the reducible part of the classical cluster integrals and the mean-field; we introduce an alternative method to obtain the linear density contribution to the mean-field, which is based on the notion of tree-diagrams and provides a preview of the subsequent quantum calculations. We then proceed to study quantum particles with Boltzmann statistics (distinguishable particles) and show that each Ursell operator U_n with contains a “tree-reducible part”, which groups naturally with U₂ through a linear chain of binary interactions; this part contributes to the associated mean-field experienced by particles in the fluid. The irreducible part, on the other hand, corresponds to the effects associated with three (or more) particles interacting all together at the same time. We then show that the same algebra holds in the case of Fermi or Bose particles, and discuss physically the role of the exchange cycles, combined with interactions. Bose condensed systems are not considered at this stage. The similarities and differences between Boltzmann and quantum statistics are illustrated by this approach, in contrast with field theoretical or Green's functions methods, which do not allow a separate study of the role of quantum statistics and dynamics.