Systematic approximations in disordered systems

We discuss two systematic approximation schemes for disordered systems (random lattices) by extending the single site CPA. In the first scheme all self energy diagrams up to those includingν scattering centers are summed up. Thisν-center approximation has been discussed before and is here derived using a straightforward projection operator formalism. The second scheme is a “true” cluster-CPA in which the scattering from an arbitrarily large cluster of neighbouring atoms (ν-cluster) embedded in a random crystal is treated just in the same way as in the single site CPA. In contrast to other cluster formulations our theory preserves translational invariance and determines the self energy in a natural way. The two schemes are compared with each other concerning their practical applicability.