Proof of the Strong Scott Conjecture for Heavy Atoms: the Furry Picture

TL;DR

This paper proves the strong Scott conjecture for heavy atoms by demonstrating the convergence of the electron density to that of the Bohr atom model, providing rigorous validation for a key approximation in atomic physics.

Contribution

It establishes the convergence of electron density in heavy atoms to the Bohr atom density within the Furry picture, confirming a long-standing conjecture.

Findings

Density converges on the scale Z^{-1} to the Bohr atom density

Validates the Furry picture as an accurate model for heavy atoms

Provides rigorous proof of the strong Scott conjecture

Abstract

We prove the convergence of the density on the scale $Z^{-1}$ to the density of the Bohr atom (with infinitely many electrons) (strong Scott conjecture) for a model that is known to describe heavy atoms accurately.