We analyze the fermion density of the one-dimensional Hubbard model using bosonization and numerical DMRG calculations. For finite systems we find a relatively sharp crossover even for moderate short range interactions into a region with $4k_F$ densi
ty waves as a function of density. The results show that the unstable fixed point of a spin-incoherent state can dominate the physical behavior in a large region of parameter space in finite systems. The crossover may be observable in ultra cold fermionic gases in optical lattices and in finite quantum wires.
The density distribution of the one-dimensional Hubbard model in a harmonic trapping potential is investigated in order to study the effect of the confining trap. Strong superimposed oscillations are always present on top of a uniform density cloud,
which show universal scaling behavior as a function of increasing interactions. An analytical formula is proposed on the basis of bosonization, which describes the density oscillations for all interaction strengths. The wavelength of the dominant oscillation changes with interaction, which indicates the crossover to a spin-incoherent regime. Using the Bethe ansatz the shape of the uniform fermion cloud is analyzed in detail, which can be described by a universal scaling form.
