Construction of an exactly solvable model of the many-body problem

We propose here a new model for the many-body problem that can be solved exactly through the diagonalization of its Hamiltonian. This model, which is founded on a Lie algebra, serves as a useful tool for testing the accuracy of many-body approximation methods. The model consists of a one-dimensional system of two distinguishable sets of fermions interacting via a schematic two-body force. We construct this model's Hamiltonian by means of vector operators that are the generators of an SO(2,1) group and which satisfy a Lie algebra. We incorporate into the Hamiltonian a symmetry that yields a constant of the motion which, in turn, renders the size of the Hamiltonian matrix finite. The diagonalization of this finitely dimensional matrix gives the exact values of the energy spectrum. (orig.)