1.The Many-Body Problem in Classical Statistical Mechanics

1.1.The Ursell-Mayer Cluster Expansion

1.2.Correlation Functions

1.3.Cluster Expansion for Long-Range Forces

1.4.Plasma Oscillations;Random Phase Approximation

1.5.The Self-Consistent Field Method;Vlasov Equation

2.Field Theoretic Methods;Linked Cluster Expansion

2.1.Second Quantization;the Adiabatic Hypothesis

2.2.Perturbation Expansions

2.3.Linked Cluster Theorem

2.4.Grand Ensemble;Perturbation Theory

2.5.Canonical Ensemble;Perturbation Expansion

3.Electron Correlation;Quantum Mechanical Treatment

3.1.General Survey

3.2.The Sawada Hamiltonian Method

4.Dielectric Formulation of the Many-Body Problem

4.1.Generalized Dielectric Constant

4.2.Self-Consistent Field Method

4.3.Graphical Analysis of the Dielectric Constant

4.4.Corrections to RPA;Exchange Effects

4.5.RPA in Real Solids

5.Applications to the Theory of Metals

5.1.Specific Heat,Susceptibility,and Quasi-Particles

5.2.Characteristic Energy Loss

5.3.Screening of a Foreign Impurity

5.4.Phonons in Metals

5.5.Phonon-Mediated Electron Interaction—Mechanism of Superconductivity

5.6.Zero Sound

5.7.paramagnetic Spin Susceptibility

5.8.Other Applications of RPA

Author Index

Subject Index