| Abstract: | This paper lays the algebraic foundation of a unitary group approach to many-body theory. We define a set of second quantized spin-shift operators which are used to construct spin-adapted many-electron configuration functions. We investigate the particle-hole transformation, normal ordering, and contraction of spin shifts. This gives an orbital Wick's theorem reflecting the permutational structure of the states spanning the irreducible representations of the spatial unitary group. We study the spinless Hamiltonian, and the relationship between spin shifts and unitary group generators. |
