Relativistic Effects in Atomic Fine Structure. II

Abstract

The methods of second quantization are used to investigate matrix elements of the Breit equation in mixed configurations. In the special case of a single configuration, the results are shown to be identical to those obtained in the previous paper of this series using equivalent operators. Application of second‐quantization methods to calculations involving relativistic atomic states is shown to be extremely straightforward and to provide a simplicity and clarity unattainable using the equivalent‐operator technique.