A self-consistent set of equations is derived for an atomic central potential such that the energy given by the orbitals for the potential is minimized. It is shown that this effective potential behaves like $\frac{-e^2}{r}$ for large $r$ values. The equations have been solved for carbon, neon, and aluminum, and the resulting total energies exceed the Hartree-Fock total energies by less than 0.005%. The theory leads to an effective, local, central exchange potential analogous to the $X\alpha$ potential.

• Received 13 November 1975

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.14.36

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Physical Review A 50^th Anniversary Milestones

The collection contains papers that have made important contributions to atomic, molecular, and optical physics and quantum information by announcing significant discoveries or by initiating new areas of research.