Systems of Identical Particles

Abstract

In the first section, we take a look at the basic ingredients in the quantum-theoretical formulation of many-electron systems: wave functions (states) and operators. For an in-depth discussion of physical aspects relevant here, the reader is referred to Chap. XIV in the textbook by A. Messiah [1]. In dealing with many-particle systems, the handling of matrix elements involving Slater determinants is required. Here, the essential tool is a set of simple rules, referred to as Slater–Condon rules, which will be considered in the second section of this chapter.