Two and three electrons on a sphere: A generalized Thomson problem

TL;DR

This paper explores how the geometry of a sphere influences electron correlations in quantum systems, using numerical and analytical methods to understand strongly correlated electron states on confined surfaces.

Contribution

It introduces a systematic approach combining numerical and analytical techniques to analyze electron correlations on spherical geometries, extending the classical Thomson problem into the quantum regime.

Findings

Electron correlations depend strongly on substrate geometry and wave function symmetry.

The study reveals the nature of collective vibration modes in confined electron systems.

Confinement geometry can be exploited to control electron states in quantum systems.

Abstract

Generalizing the classical Thomson problem to the quantum regime provides an ideal model to explore the underlying physics regarding electron correlations. In this work, we systematically investigate the combined effects of the geometry of the substrate and the symmetry of the wave function on correlations of geometrically confined electrons. By the numerical configuration interaction method in combination with analytical theory, we construct symmetrized ground-state wave functions; analyze the energetics, correlations, and collective vibration modes of the electrons; and illustrate the routine for the strongly correlated, highly localized electron states with the expansion of the sphere. This work furthers our understanding about electron correlations on confined geometries and shows the promising potential of exploiting confinement geometry to control electron states.