Evaluation of the optimal path in ATDHF theory

The formal resemblance between the adiabatic time-dependent Hartree-Fock (ATDHF) theory of Villars and of Baranger and Vénéroni (BV) has been demonstrated. While the BV approach mixes the zeroth- and second-order quantities. Villars neglects the second-order equation and suggests a self-consistent method of solving the zeroth- and first-order equations. It is shown here that in order to obtain the time evolution of the TDHF solution one has to include the second-order equation along with zeroth- and first-order equations. It is then shown by an analytic method that the consistent solutions of the three equations follow the bottom of the valley of the collective potential.