Exponential representation in the Coulomb three-body problem

Abstract

The exponential representation in the Coulomb three-body problem is considered. It is shown that the exponential variational expansion in relative coordinates r32, r31 and r21 has a number of advantages for the bound state calculations in Coulomb three-body systems. Moreover, it appears that the exponential (or Laplace–Fourier) representation of the Coulomb three-body problem is an optimal approach to analyse and solve various three-body problems. The optimization of nonlinear parameters in the trial wavefunctions is also considered. The developed methods are used to determine the highly accurate ground 11S(L = 0)-state energies and other bound state properties for a number of He-like two-electron ions (Li+, Be2+, B3+, C4+, N5+, O6+, F7+ and Ne8+). To represent the ground state energies of these He-like ions we apply the Z−1 expansion. The asymptotic form of the ground state wavefunctions at large electron–nuclear distances for the He-like ions is briefly discussed. Considered hypervirial theorems are of great interest for these ions, since they allow one to obtain some useful relations between different expectation values. The generalization of the exponential variational expansion in relative coordinates to the four-body non-relativistic systems is also considered.