Electron Distribution around Mobile and Fixed Point Charges in Metals

Abstract

A new approach is presented to the calculation of the charge density induced around a charged point particle in the electron gas; this approach includes contributions beyond those considered in linear-response theory. The method can be used to treat impurities with infinite as well as finite mass. Results from calculations with various charges, positive and negative, are presented. In particular, results for the electron density distribution around a positron are presented. The positron-annihilation rates obtained are compared with results of other authors and with experiments.