Application of Perturbation Methods to the Theory of Nuclear Matter

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
A generalized perturbation theory is developed in such a way that it can be applied to a many-body problem with strong forces between the particles. The Brueckner expression for the energy is shown to be the first-order term in a particular case of this expansion. Some of the higher-order terms in the expansion are studied, and the importance of self-consistency in the energy denominator of Brueckner's equation and of the use of the exclusion principle in intermediate states is assessed. A possible simplification of the methods used is suggested, which involves solving the Brueckner equation for the hard core, and using normal perturbation theory for the attractive part of the potential. The methods developed are used to analyze some details of previously published calculations.