Beyond the random-phase approximation: A new approximation scheme for the polarization propagator

Within the framework of the many-body Green's-function method we present a new approach to the polarization propagator for finite Fermi systems. This approach makes explicit use of the diagrammatic perturbation expansion for the polarization propagator, and reformulates the exact summation in terms of a simple algebraic scheme, referred to as the algebraic diagrammatic construction (ADC). The ADC defines in a natural way a set of approximation schemes (nth-order ADC schemes) which represent infinite partial summations exact up to nth order of perturbation theory. In contrast to the random-phase-approximation (RPA)-like schemes, the corresponding mathematical procedures are essentially Hermitian eigenvalue problems in limited configuration spaces of unperturbed excited configurations. Explicit equations for the first- and second-order ADC schemes are derived. These schemes are thoroughly discussed and compared with the Tamm-Dancoff approximation and RPA schemes.