The ionization conjecture in Hartree-Fock theory

Abstract

We prove the ionization conjecture within the Hartree-Fock theory of atoms. More precisely, we prove that, if the nuclear charge is allowed to tend to infinity, the maximal negative ionization charge and the ionization energy of atoms nevertheless remain bounded. Moreover, we show that in Hartree-Fock theory the radius of an atom (properly defined) is bounded independently of its nuclear charge.

Authors

Jan Philip Solovej

Department of Mathematical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, DK-2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark