The computation of Fermi-Dirac functions

Abstract

The quantitative application of Fermi-Dirac statistics involves the evaluation of certain integrals which have not previously been tabulated. In this paper, tables are given of the values of the basic integrals most frequently required , with a view to placing Fermi-Dirrac statistics on as firm a numerical basis as is Maxwell-Boltzmann statistics. T e expression for the energy distribution of particles subject to Fermi-Dirrac statistics may be written in the form dN He) de e<*+Pe -)-1 ’ wherev(e) is the number of states per unit energy range, and dN is the number of particles in the energy range e to e--de. In the statistical treatment, the parameters ot and fi, which are usually introduced as undetermined multipliers in a variational equation, are to be determined from two equations expressing conditions imposed by the total number of particles, and the total energy of the system. By linking up the statistical and thermodynamical treatments, interpretation can be given to a and b this is expressed by P**:l IkT, a = -C lk T ,