Quantum three-body Coulomb problem in two dimensions

Abstract

We study the three-body Coulomb problem in two dimensions and show how to calculate very accurately its quantum properties. The use of a convenient set of coordinates makes it possible to write the Schr\"odinger equation using only annihilation and creation operators of four harmonic oscillators, coupled by various terms of degree up to 12. We analyze in detail the discrete symmetry properties of the eigenstates. The energy levels and eigenstates of the two-dimensional helium atom are obtained numerically, by expanding the Schr\"odinger equation on a convenient basis set that gives sparse banded matrices, and thus opens up the way to accurate and efficient calculations. We give some very accurate values of the energy levels of the first bound Rydberg series. Using the complex coordinate method, we are also able to calculate energies and widths of doubly excited states, i.e., resonances above the first ionization threshold. For the two-dimensional ${\mathrm{H}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ ion, only one bound state is found.