The Practical Calculation of Interionic Potentials in Solids using Electron Gas Theory

Abstract

A review is presented of the ways in which electron gas theory has been used to obtain interionic potentials in solids. The strengths and limitations of such non-empirical potentials, and of the methods used to generate them, are emphasized. After minor modifications, many of the functionals derived from electron gas theory turn out to be much more successful and much more widely applicable than might have been expected, given their underlying assumptions.

Key Words:

• Electron gas theory
• interionic potentials