Statistical physics of the solvated electron

Statistical models of an electron solvated in a classical liquid are review ed. The analogy between the behaviour of a quantum particle and a polymer c hain results in that statistical physics methods can be applied to the solv ated electron problem. We have derived basic relations for thermodynamic an d structural characteristics of the solvated electron. The free energy of t he solvated electron and the effective electron-solvent potential as well a s the electron-solvent correlation function are studied in detail. The calc ulated results are compared with experimental data and quantum molecular dy namic simulation for simple, polar, and coulombic liquids. We also outline many-particle quantum effects, such as electron-electron interactions and d ielectron (bipolaron) formation. Potentials and restrictions of the statist ical method are also discussed.