Relativistic self-consistent fields

Abstract

Abstract The equations of the relativistic self-consistent field, first set up by Swirles (1935), are discussed using the algebra of tensor operators. The coefficients of radial integrals in the formula for the energy can be written in terms of Clebsch-Gordon and Racah coefficients, so that their symmetries can easily be seen and their numerical values can easily be calculated with the use of published tables. The magnetic interaction between two electrons is considered as well as the electrostatic interaction, and the effect of this term on the ionization energy of a K electron in mercury is computed with the use of unpublished results of Mayers.