Coherent and Incoherent Dynamic Structure Function of the Free Fermi Gas

A detailed calculation of the coherent and incoherent dynamic structure functions of the free Fermi gas, starting from their expressions in terms of the one- and semi-diagonal two-body density matrices, is derived and discussed. Their behavior and evolution with the momentum transfer is analyzed, and particular attention is devoted to the contributions that both functions present at negative energies. Finally, an analysis of the energy weighted sum rules satisfied by both responses is also performed. Despite of the simplicity of the model, some of the conclusions can be extended to realistic systems.