Correlation-Induced Electron-Electron Attraction

Abstract

The multidimensional potential surface of a few (2 - 4)-electron atom shows near equilibrium configurations ridge structures. The electron wave diffraction from such a ridge is shown to induce a novel fictitious force which manifests itself as temporary electron-electron attraction. In contrast to a Cooper pair our pair does not need a lattice vibration and may be regarded as elementary prototype pair in an isolated atom. Also electron triples and quadruples are discussed.