Diatomic interactions in momentum space. The effect of polarization and floating functions

The method of momentum density for interatomic interactions is used to investigate the pictures and roles of the polarization and floating functions in momentum (p-) space. Referring to the previous results from the minimal LCAO (Finkelstein-Horowitz) momentum density, we quantitatively discuss the effect of these functions for the bonding process in the ground state of H ₂ ⁺ system. The essence of the polarization and floating effects is found to be a modulation of the oscillation in the two-center part of the momentum density. The polarization function introduces a term with a phase and the floating function enlarges the period of the oscillation. An increased migration of the density from the one-center to the two-center part is also important. As a result, both the functions contribute to emphasize the contraction and expansion of momentum density observed previously. However, the floating function disturbs the density distribution in high momentum region, reflecting the destruction of cusps in position (r-) space. We point out an error in the pioneer work of Duncanson.