In real space we write basis vector for spinless fermions in binary notation for example if there are M=4 sites in system and N=2 fermions then basis vectors will be: $0011, 0101, 0110, 1001, 1010, 1100$. Hamiltonian in numerical form ($H=-t\sum_{<j,j+1>}(c_j^\dagger c_{j+1}+h.c.)+U\sum_{<j,j+1>}n_jn_{j+1}$) can be written simply using bitwise operations of C/C++, Fortran or MATLAB. One can see hopping part of H is off-diagonal and interaction part is diagonal in real space. When we work in Fourier space Hamiltonain become $$\tilde{H}=\sum_k\epsilon_k\tilde{c_k^\dagger}\tilde{c_k} + \sum_k\tilde{U_k}\tilde{n_k}\tilde{n_{-k}}$$ with $\epsilon_k=-2t\cos{k}$ and $\tilde{U}_k=\frac{1}{L}\sum_j U(j) e^{-ik.j}$ as explained in this [pdf][1]. ---- What I can't understand is that how do we define our basis vector in fourier space? ---- **My understanding about it:** What I have understood from this so for is that let we have a 1D line from $-\pi$ to $+\pi$ (first brillion zone) on which $k$ points are discreetly define. If we have M=4 and N=2 then set of $k$-points is $-\pi$, $-\frac{\pi}{2}$,$+\frac{\pi}{2}$, $+\pi$ Now considering these 4 points as sites on which fermions can reside our basis vectors can be again given as they were given in real space i.e. $0011, 0101, 0110, 1001, 1010, 1100$. For simplicity I take limit $U=0$ and calculate Hamiltonian for both real and fourier space case. REAL SPACE: $$H_{R}=-t\begin{bmatrix} 0 & 1 & 0 & 0 & -1 & 0 \\ 1 & 0& 1& 1& 0& -1\\ 0 & 1& 0& 0& 1& 0\\ 0 & 1& 0& 0& 1& 0\\ -1 & 0& 1& 1& 0& 1\\ 0 & -1& 0& 0& 1& 0\\ \end{bmatrix}$$ Let t=1 then Eigenvalues=[-2, -2, -4.4e-16, 0, 2, 2] (using MATLAB function _eig()_) FOURIER SPACE: $\tilde{c_k^{\dagger}}\tilde{c_k}=\tilde{n_k}=$ number operator in k-space. So our hamiltonian for U=0 should be diagonal $$H_{F}=-2t\begin{bmatrix} \cos{(\pi/3)}+\cos{\pi} & 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 \\ 0 & \cos{(-\pi/3)}+cos{\pi} & 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 \\ 0 & 0 & \cos{(-\pi/3)}+\cos{(\pi/3)} & 0 & 0 & 0 \\ 0 & 0 & 0 & \cos{(-\pi)}+\cos{\pi} & 0 & 0 \\ 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 & \cos{(-\pi)}+\cos{(\pi/3)} & 0 \\ 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 & \cos{-(\pi)}+\cos{(-\pi/3)} \\ \end{bmatrix}$$ $$=-t\begin{bmatrix} 1 & 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 \\ 0 & 1 & 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 \\ 0 & 0 & -2 & 0 & 0 & 0 \\ 0 & 0 & 0 & 4 & 0 & 0 \\ 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 & 1 & 0 \\ 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 & 1 \\ \end{bmatrix}$$ for t=1 eigenvalues=[-2, 1, 1, 1, 1, 4]. --- results are not matching, I consider there is any fault in my method of defining basis vectors in k-space. So, please guide be how to properly build basis vectors in k-space. [1]: http://www.lassp.cornell.edu/clh/Book-sample/1.1.pdf