The distribution $P_1$ of the first many-body excitation energy of a weakly and moderately interacting electron gas in a finite conductor (in the diffusive regime) is calculated. As the interaction is increased, $P_1$ crosses over from Wigner-Dyson to Poisson. We characterize this transition through the inverse participation ratio in Hilbert space, and examine its manifestation in a projected 2-dimensional space.
Categories: cond-mat.dis-nn cond-mat.mes-hall