Hartree method

Hartree method

[′här·trē ‚meth·əd]

(quantum mechanics)

An iterative variational method of finding an approximate wave function for a system of many electrons, in which one attempts to find a product of single-particle wave functions, each one of which is a solution of the Schrödinger equation with the field deduced from the charge density distribution due to all the other electrons. Also known as self-consistent field method.

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific & Technical Terms, 6E, Copyright © 2003 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.