Abstract
We propose a time-dependent Thomas-Fermi approach to the (nonlinear) dynamics of many-fermion systems. The approach relies on a hydrodynamical picture describing the system in terms of collective flow. We investigate in particular an application to electron dynamics in metal clusters. We make extensive comparisons with fully fledged quantal dynamical calculations and find overall good agreement. The approach thus provides a reliable and inexpensive scheme to study the electronic response of large metal clusters.
- Received 23 May 1997
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.80.5520
©1998 American Physical Society