Drude and Superfluid Weights in Extended Systems: The Role of Discontinuities and δ-Peaks in the One-and Two-Body Momentum Densities

Abstract

The question of conductivity is revisited. Using the total momentum shift operator to construct the perturbed many-body Hamiltonian and ground state wave function the second derivative of the ground state energy with respect to the perturbing field is expressed in terms of the one and two-body momentum densities. The distinction between the adiabatic and envelope function derivatives, hence that between the Drude and superfluid weights, can be introduced in a straightforward manner. It is shown that a discontinuity in the momentum density leads to a contribution to the Drude weight, but not the superfluid weight, however a delta-function contribution in the two-body momentum density (such as in the BCS wave-funtion) contributes to both quantities. The connection between the discontinuity in the momentum density and localization is also demonstrated.