A New Cluster Scheme in Statistical Physics

A new cluster scheme is proposed, and some of its advantages over the Mayer expansion method are demonstrated. An explicit equation is derived for the s‐particle correlation in a large equilibrium system of particles interacting through a two‐body potential. This equation is solved to the leading order in the plasma limit. It is found that, in several systems, the equilibrium s‐particle correlation is, to the leading order, a functional of the two‐particle correlation, independent of the detailed form of the potential function.