Bosonization of fermion operators as linked-cluster expansions

Abstract
In order for a boson-expansion theory to be useful for practical purposes, it must satisfy at least two requirements: It must be in the form of a linked-cluster expansion, and the pure (ideal) boson states must be usable as basis states. Previously, we constructed such a boson theory and used it successfully for many realistic calculations. This construction, however, lacked mathematical rigor. In the present paper, we develop an entirely new approach, which results in the same boson expansions obtained earlier, but now in a mathematically rigorous fashion. The achievement of the new formalism goes beyond this. Its framework is much more general and flexible than was that of the earlier formalism, and it allows us to extend the calculations beyond what had been done in the past.