General solution of the Dirac equation for electrons bound by a charged atomic chain

Abstract

The system of electrons bound by a charged atom chain is studied within the Dirac theory. The general analytical solution of the Dirac equation is obtained. Analytical expression for electron energy is derived from which it follows that the principal quantum number can be introduced for electron states in such a system, similar to the case of a hydrogen atom. We prove that electrons bound by the atomic chain, are fully collectivized and the energy can be calculated as a function of the occupation number. The spectral band with the principal quantum number $n$ is shown to be split into $n$ subbands forming the fine structure. The scale of the fine structure splitting is calculated.