Abstract:
A universal, i.e., not dependent on the Hamiltonian of the two-particle
interaction, expansion of the equilibrium three-particle distribution
function with respect to the two-particle correlation functions is
constructed. A diagram technique that permits systematic calculation
of the coefficients of this expansion is proposed. In particular, it
is established that allowance for the first four orders in the absence
of long-range correlations gives the Kirkwood approximation. Corrections
to the Kirkwood approximation both in the presence and absence of
long-range correlations are found.