The Theoretical Constitution of Metallic Lithium

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Abstract
On the basis of previous theoretical developments concerning the nature of cohesion in metals which were applied to sodium, a treatment of metallic lithium is presented. As before, the system of Fock equations are solved by an indirect procedure as a start. These solutions differ appreciably from those for sodium in several important respects and account for a greater percentage of the observed binding energy than in the latter case. The modification of the exchange energy of the electrons arising from these differences is computed. Finally, the work of Wigner on correlation energies of metal electrons is applied directly to obtain a final binding energy of 34 kg.cal. as compared with the observed value of 38.9. The lattice constant is found to agree with the observed one to within about three percent. Some general remarks concerning the applicability of the present development to solids other than metals are made.