Momentum average approximations for the Holstein polaron

Abstract

We present a novel approach for obtaining simple yet highly accurate approximations for interacting problems. We use the Holstein polaron as an example and show that the predictions of the so-called Momentum Average approximation are in good agreement with results of numerical simulations over most of the parameter space, and become exact in various asymptotic limits. The resulting Green’s function satisfies exactly the first six spectral weight sum rules, and all higher order sum rules are satisfied with great accuracy. Furthermore, the accuracy can be improved systematically, at a slightly increased computational cost. PACS Nos.: 71.38.–k, 72.10.Di, 63.20.Kr