Toward spectroscopic accuracy of ab initio calculations of vibrational frequencies and related quantities: a case study of the HF molecule

Calculations at various coupled-cluster (CC) levels with and without the inclusion of linear r _{i j} -dependent terms are performed for the HF molecule in its ground state with a systematic variation of basis sets. The main emphasis is on spectroscopic properties such as the equilibrium distance r _e and the harmonic vibration frequency ω_e. Especially with the R12 methods (including linear r _{i j} -dependent terms), convergence to the basis set limit is reached. However, the results (at the basis set limit) are rather sensitive to the level of the treatment of electron correlation. The best results are found for the CCSDT1-R12 and CCSD[T]-R12 methods (CCSD[T] was previously called CCSD+T(CCSD)), while CCSD(T) overestimates ω_e by ≈6 cm⁻¹. The good agreement of conventional CCSD(T) with experiment for basis sets far from saturation (e.g. truncated at g-functions) is probably the result of a compensation of errors. The contribution of core-correlation is non-negligible and must be included (effect on ω_e≈5 cm⁻¹). Relativistic effects are also important (23 cm⁻¹), while adiabatic effects are much smaller (<1cm⁻¹) and non-adiabatic effects on ω_e can be simulated in replacing nuclear by atomic masses; for rotation nuclear masses appear to be the better choice, at least for hydrides. From a potential curve based on calculations with the CCSDT1-R12 method with relativistic corrections, the IR spectrum is computed quantum-mechanically. Both the band heads and the rotational structures of the observed spectra are reproduced with a relative error of ≈10⁻⁴ for the three isotopomers HF, DF, and TF. Received: 3 July 1998 / Accepted: 4 August 1998 / Published online: 28 October 1998     

Communication: convergence of anharmonic infrared intensities of hydrogen fluoride in traditional and explicitly correlated coupled cluster calculations

It is shown that the convergence of anharmonic infrared spectral intensities with respect to the basis set size is much enhanced in explicitly correlated calculations as compared to traditional configuration interaction type wave function expansion. Explicitly correlated coupled cluster (CC) calculations using Slater-type geminal correlation factor (CC-F12) yield well-converged dipole derivatives and vibrational intensities for hydrogen fluoride with basis set involving f functions on the heavy atom. Combination of CC-F12 with singles, doubles, and non-iterative triples (CCSD(T)-F12) with small corrections due to quadruple excitations, core-electron correlation, and relativistic effects yields vibrational line positions, dipole moments, and transition dipole matrix elements in good agreement with the best experimental values.     

Medium-size polarized basis sets for high-level-correlated calculations of molecular electric properties

Summary The basis set polarization approach is employed for the generation of medium-size polarized GTO/CGTO basis sets for calculations of molecular dipole moments and polarizabilities. The excellent performance of the [13.10.4/7.5.2] GTO/CGTO polarized basis sets derived for Si through Cl is illustrated by the atomic polarizability results and SCF and MBPT data for dipole moments and polarizabilities of the second-row atom hydrides. The possible applications of the electric-property oriented polarized basis sets are discussed. The basis set data for Si through Cl are those for H and C through F append the paper.     

An explicitly correlated local coupled cluster method for calculations of large molecules close to the basis set limit

A new explicitly correlated local coupled-cluster method with single and double excitations and a perturbative treatment of triple excitations [DF-LCCSD(T0)-F12x (x = a,b)] is presented. By means of truncating the virtual orbital space to pair-specific local domains (domain approximation) and a simplified treatment of close, weak and distant pairs using LMP2-F12 (pair approximation) the scaling of the computational cost with molecular size is strongly reduced. The basis set incompleteness errors as well as the errors due to the domain approximation are largely eliminated by the explicitly correlated terms. All integrals are computed using efficient density fitting (DF) approximations. The accuracy of the method is investigated for 52 reactions involving medium size molecules. A comparison of DF-LCCSD(T0)-F12x reaction energies with canonical CCSD(T)-F12x calculations shows that the errors introduced by the domain approximation are indeed very small. Care must be taken to keep the errors due to the additional pair approximation equally small, and appropriate distance criteria are recommended. Using these parameters, the root mean square (RMS) deviations of DF-LCCSD(T0)-F12a calculations with triple-ζ basis sets from estimated CCSD(T) complete basis set (CBS) limits and experimental data amount to only 1.5 kJ mol(-1) and 2.9 kJ mol(-1), respectively. For comparison, the RMS deviation of the CCSD(T)/CBS values from the experimental values amounts to 3.0 kJ mol(-1). The potential of the method is demonstrated for five reactions of biochemical or pharmacological interest which include molecules with up to 61 atoms. These calculations show that molecules of this size can now be treated routinely and yield results that are close to the CCSD(T) complete basis set limits.     

On expectation value calculations of one-electron properties using the coupled cluster wave functions

The ability of various approximate coupled cluster (CC) methods to provide accurate first-order one-electron properties calculated as expectation values is theoretically analysed and computationally examined for BH and CO. For actual calculations the infinite number of terms of the expectation value expansion (O=¦exp (T ⁺)O exp (T)¦_c) was truncated so that T ₁ T ₂, T ₃, and (1/2) T ₂T₂ clusters were retained on both sides of O. The role of individual clusters is carefully discussed. Inclusion of T ₁, is unavoidable, but if triples are essential in the energy evaluation, they may play an even more important role in the property expansion, as shown in the case of CO. It is shown that the CC wave function, which is exact to second order, effectively satisfies the Hellmann-Feynman theorem.     

Medium-size polarized basis sets for high-level-correlated calculations of molecular electric properties

Summary The basis set polarization method is used to derive the first-order polarized basis sets for Ge through Br for calculations of atomic and molecular electric properties. The performance of the [15.12.9/9.7.4] GTO/CGTO basis sets generated in this study is verified in calculations of atomic dipole polarizabilities and dipole moments and polarizabilities of the third-row atom hydrides. Whenever accurate reference data are available for comparison, the excellent performance of the derived first-order polarized basis sets is demonstrated. The role of the core polarization and relativistic contributions to atomic and molecular is also investigated. The detailed basis set data for Ge through Br are given in Appendix.     

Theory of strongly correlated electron systems. II. Including correlation effects into electronic structure calculations

We have previously shown that a division of the f‐shell into two subsystems gives a better understanding of the cohesive properties as well the general behavior of lanthanide systems. In this article, we present numerical computations, using the suggested method. We show that the picture is consistent with most experimental data, e.g., the equilibrium volume and electronic structure in general. Compared with standard energy band calculations and calculations based on the self‐interaction correction and LDA + U, the f‐(non‐f)‐mixing interaction is decreased by spectral weights of the many‐body states of the f‐ion. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2005     

Fock space multireference coupled cluster theory: Study of shape resonance

The complex absorbing potential along with correlated independent particle potential (CIP) Fock space multireference coupled cluster method is used for the study of resonances. We have studied shape resonance of e^?‐ F₂, e^?‐ N₂O and e^?‐CO molecules. In particular, we have studied e^?‐ F₂ scattering at different bond lengths to know whether is bound at the equilibrium bond length of F₂. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Scaling in second-order electron correlation calculations using systematic sequences of even-tempered basis sets

Improved results can often be obtained from second-order Rayleigh-Schrödinger perturbation calculations of electron correlation energies using large basis sets by introducing a scaling factor in the zero-order Hamiltonian. The scaling parameter may be determined from full third-order calculations using a smaller basis set. This scaling procedure can be applied in a systematic fashion by employing a sequence of even-tempered basis sets. Calculations illustrating this approach for the beryllium atom and the neon atom are presented. The scaling procedure is also employed in conjunction with a universal systematic sequence of basis functions. Calculations illustrating this Correlation energy — Mang-body perturbation theory.Work supported in part by S.R.C. Research Grant GR/B/4738.6.S.R.C. Advanced Fellow.     

Can STO basis sets do a good job in evaluating molecular electromagnetic properties? I. First hyperpolarizability of H2O, CH4, and NH3 according to the TDHF theory

The performance of STO basis sets for the ab initio estimation of the nonlinear electromagnetic response properties of molecules, in terms of a time-dependent Hartree–Fock procedure, is investigated. Applications to the case of the first dynamic hyperpolarizability of three simple polyatomics (H₂O, CH₄, NH₃) adopting several extended basis sets are reported and discussed. Independent estimates for the observables investigated obtained by the same approach in terms of Gaussian basis sets are confronted with our findings in the search for recipes of possible utility.Acknowledgements This research has been partially supported by funds provided by the Italian Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (contribution n. CTB 00.00650.PF34) and Pisa University (fondi di Ateneo, ex 60%, years 2001–2002).Contribution to the Jacopo Tomasi Honorary Issue     

Numerical Hartree-Fock and MCSCF calculations on diatomic copper: calibration of basis sets

NHF and NMCSCF results for Cu₂ are compared with calculations employing basis set expansions. We find that nearly all previous SCF calculations using Gaussian basis sets have underestimated the bond length by about the same amount (0.03 Å) as that attributed to the unlinked cluster and relativistic corrections. The error is shown to be due to deficiencies in the 3d primitive set which yield sizable basis set superposition errors.     

Multiple basis sets in calculations of triples corrections in coupled-cluster theory

Multiple basis sets are used in calculations of perturbational corrections for triples replacements in the framework of single-reference coupled-cluster theory. We investigate a computational procedure, where the triples correction is calculated from a reduced space of virtual orbitals, while the full space is employed for the coupled-cluster singles-and-doubles model. The reduced space is either constructed from a prescribed unitary transformation of the virtual orbitals (for example into natural orbitals) with subsequent truncation, or from a reduced set of atomic basis functions. After the selection of a reduced space of virtual orbitals, the singles and doubles amplitudes obtained from a calculation in the full space are projected onto the reduced space, the remaining set of virtual orbitals is brought into canonical form by diagonalizing the representation of the Fock operator in the reduced space, and the triples corrections are evaluated as usual. The case studies include the determination of the spectroscopic constants of N₂, F₂, and CO, the geometry of O₃, the electric dipole moment of CO, the static dipole polarizability of F⁻, and the Ne⋯Ne interatomic potential. Received: 28 December 1996 / Accepted: 8 April 1997     

Basis set superposition effects on properties of interacting systems. Dipole moments and polarizabilities

Basis set superposition effects which are not removed by the counterpoise correction are shown to modify the electric properties of interacting subsystems and influence indirectly the calculated interaction energies. The role of these higher-order basis set superposition effects is illustrated by the calculation of the water molecule dipole moment and polarizability in the basis set of the water dimer.     

Stationary coupled cluster response: Role of cubic terms in molecular properties

We have demonstrated an application of a stationary coupled cluster response approach for molecular properties using an Euler functional. This involves terms which are of cubic power in cluster amplitudes. We have shown that these are important terms and have also discussed the convergence properties of the functional for higher order properties.     

Study of approximate coupled cluster methods for first-order static properties

In this paper, we analyse the algebraic structure of the equations for calculating the first order static properties using several approximate versions of Coupled Cluster (CC) methods. In particular, the non-variational and the variational method using a CC wavefunction corresponding to an appropriately defined perturbed Hamiltonian as well as the simple expectation value expression using a CC stationary state are studied under different approximations. Two different models are proposed: (a) use of maximum overlap orbitals where the pertinent approximations are TT ₂, T ⁽¹⁾ T ₂ ⁽¹⁾, (b) use of Hartree-Fock orbitals and T(T ₁+T ₂), T ⁽¹⁾(T ₁ ⁽¹⁾ +T ₂ ⁽¹⁾ ) approximations. It is analytically shown that in both these models certain approximate versions of the methods under purview yield identical results for first order static properties.NCL Communication No. 3725     

Direct evaluation of one-electron properties in coupled cluster methods

Summary An analysis of a method for approximate calculations of expectation values for one-electron operators from available coupled cluster amplitudes is presented and illustrated numerically for the polarizability of the Be atom. The one-particle density matrix resulting from the present approach is accurate through the fourth order in the electron correlation perturbation. It has been found that, in order to obtain quantitative agreement between the energy derivative results and the approximate expectation value formalism, the third orderT ₁ T ₂⁽⁰⁾ wave function term must be included into the calculation of the one-particle density matrix. The present method is also considered as a promising tool for calculations of higher-order atomic and molecular properties from high level correlated wave functions.     

Anomerization reaction of bare and microhydrated d‐erythrose via explicitly correlated coupled cluster approach. Two water molecules are optimal

We present a comprehensive benchmark computational study which has explored a complete path of the anomerization reaction of bare d ‐erythrose involving a pair of the low‐energy α‐ and β‐furanose anomers, the former of which was observed spectroscopically (Cabezas et al., Chem. Commun. 2013, 49, 10826). We find that the ring opening of the α‐anomer yields the most stable open‐chain tautomer which step is followed by the rotational interconversion of the open‐chain rotamers and final ring closing to form the β‐anomer. Our results indicate the flatness of the reaction's potential energy surface (PES) corresponding to the rotational interconversion path and its sensitivity to the computational level. By using the explicitly correlated coupled cluster CCSD(T)‐F12/cc‐pVTZ‐F12 energies, we determine the free energy barrier for the α‐furanose ring‐opening (rate‐determining) step as 170.3 kJ/mol. The question of the number of water molecules (n ) needed for optimal stabilization of the erythrose anomerization reaction rate‐determining transition state is addressed by a systematic exploration of the PES of the ring opening in the α‐anomer‐(H₂O)_n and various β‐anomer‐(H₂O)_n (n = 1–3) clusters using density functional and CCSD(T)‐F12 computations. These computations suggest the lowest free energy barrier of the ring opening for doubly hydrated α‐anomer, achieved by a mechanism that involves water‐mediated multiple proton transfer coupled with the furanose C O bond breakage. Among the methods used, the G4 performed best against the CCSD(T)‐F12 reference at estimating the ring‐opening barrier heights for both the hydrated and bare erythrose conformers. Our results for the hydrated species are most relevant to an experimental study of the anomerization reaction of d ‐erythrose to be carried out in microsolvation environment. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Infinite Basis Set Extrapolation for Double Hybrid Density Functional Theory 2: Effect of Adding Diffuse Basis Functions

We applied the Infinite Basis (IB) set extrapolation and Double Hybrid Density Functional Theory (DHDF) to calculate the electron affinities, reaction barrier heights, proton affinities, non‐covalent interactions, atomization, ionization, and alkyl bond dissociation energies. We previously found that the mean unsigned error of the B2KPLYP‐IB calculation with the combination of cc‐pVTZ and cc‐pVQZ reach the chemical accuracy limit (～2 kcal/mol) where the largest deviation occurred in the electron affinity calculations and the weak interactions between noble gases and nonpolar molecules. Here, we investigated the basis set effect using the B2KPLYP‐IB extrapolation scheme that involves (1) the addition of extra tight d basis functions to the second row elements (i.e. cc‐pV(L+d)Z), (2) the addition of extra s, p, and d diffuse basis functions, and (3) a comparison between Dunning's Correlation Consistent and Jensen's Polarization Consistent (pc‐L) basis sets. We found that the addition of extra s and p diffuse basis functions formed the minimal augmented basis sets proposed by Truhlar. This addition permitted the B2KPLYP‐IB to reach the chemical accuracy limit with the combination of the double ζ and triple ζ basis sets. Adding extra s, p diffuse functions to the pc‐L series permitted only a small improvement. This small improvement is due to the fact that the pc‐L basis sets already contain a large number of functions for the p block elements. Taken together, the results suggest that this minimal augmented basis sets is useful for due to its accuracy and affordable computational cost.     

Unlinked cluster effects in limited CI calculations of molecular properties

The unlinked cluster effects in limited CI calculations of dipole moments and polarizabilities are estimated by using the approximate corrections due to Davidson and Siegbahn. The results obtained for FH, H₂O, NH₃, and CH₄ indicate that the limited CI results for molecular electric properties need to be corrected for the erratic treatment of unlinked clusters.