Hartree--Fock Theory, Lieb's Variational Principle, and their Generalizations

Abstract: Hartree--Fock theory in quantum mechanics is reviewed, from the proposal of the Hartree--Fock approximation right after quantum mechanics was formulated to its applications in modern physics. This includes the description of traditional Hartree--Fock theory in quantum chemistry, its generalizations of various kinds, and its importance for predicting the presence of symmetry breaking, or the absence thereof.