Development and applications of a relaxation-inducing cluster expansion theory for treating strong relaxation and differential correlation effects

We present in this paper a multi-reference coupled cluster (MRCC) formulation for energy differences which treats orbital relaxation and correlation effects on the same footing, by invoking a novel cluster ansatz of the valence portion of the wave operator Ω_v. Unlike in the traditional normal-ordered exponential representation of Ω_v, our new relaxation-inducing ansatz, represented symbolically as E _r(S), allows contractions between the spectator lines and also certain other special contractions. By an extensive theoretical analysis, taking as an example the case of one-hole model space (the IP problem), we demonstrate that our ansatz incorporates in a manifestly spin-free form the orbital relaxation to all orders. The traditional Thouless-type of exponential transformation via one-body excitations can induce the same effect, as is done in the valence-specific or the quasi-valence-specific MRCC formalisms, but they have to be done in the spin-orbital basis – making the spin adaptation of the problem a complicated exercise. In contrast, we use a spin-free representation of the cluster operators right from start, but expand the rank of the cluster operators by involving spectator orbitals to distinguish the various spin possibilities. The combinatorial factors entering the contracted power series in E _r(S) are chosen in such a way that they correspond to what we would have obtained if we had used a Thouless-like transformation to induce the orbital relaxation. Our working equations generally have only finite powers of the cluster operators S, resulting in a very compact formulation of the relaxation problem. Pilot numerical applications for the IP computations of HF and H₂O in the core, the inner valence and the outer valence regions show very good performance of the method vis-a-vis those obtained using the traditional normal ordered ansatz for Ω_v. The improvement in the core IP value is particularly impressive, although even for the valence regions there is an overall improvement of the IP values. Received: 3 August 1998 / Accepted: 30 September 1998 / Published online: 15 February 1999     

Formulation and implementation of a unitary group adapted state universal multi-reference coupled cluster (UGA-SUMRCC) theory: Excited and ionized state energies

The traditional state universal multi-reference coupled cluster (SUMRCC) theory uses the Jeziorski-Monkhorst (JM) based Ansatz of the wave operator: Ω = ∑(μ)Ω(μ)∣φ(μ)??φ(μ)∣, where Ω(μ) = exp?(T(μ)) is the cluster representation of the component of Ω inducing virtual excitations from the model function φ(μ). In the first formulations, φ(μ)s were chosen to be single determinants and T(μ)s were defined in terms of spinorbitals. This leads to spin-contamination for the non-singlet cases. In this paper, we propose and implement an explicitly spin-free realization of the SUMRCC theory. This method uses spin-free unitary generators in defining the cluster operators, {T(μ)}, which even at singles-doubles truncation, generates non-commuting cluster operators. We propose the use of normal-ordered exponential parameterization for Ω:∑(μ){exp?(T(μ))}∣φ(μ)??φ(μ)∣, where {} denotes the normal ordering with respect to a common closed shell vacuum which makes the "direct term" of the SUMRCC equations terminate at the quartic power. We choose our model functions {φ(μ)} as unitary group adapted (UGA) Gel'fand states which is why we call our theory UGA-SUMRCC. In the spirit of the original SUMRCC, we choose exactly the right number of linearly independent cluster operators in {T(μ)} such that no redundancies in the virtual functions {χ(μ) (l)} are involved. Using example applications for electron detached/attached and h-p excited states relative to a closed shell ground state we discuss how to choose the most compact and non-redundant cluster operators. Although there exists a more elaborate spin-adapted JM-like ansatz of Datta and Mukherjee (known as combinatoric open-shell CC (COS-CC), its working equations are more complex. Results are compared with those from COS-CC, equation of motion coupled cluster methods, restricted open-shell Hartree-Fock coupled cluster, and full configuration interaction. We observe that our results are more accurate with respect to most other theories as a result of the use of the cluster expansion structure for our wave operator. Our results are comparable to those from the more involved COS-CC, indicating that our theory captures the most important aspects of physics with a considerably simpler scheme.     

Towards the Development and Applications of Manifestly Spin-free Multi-reference Coupled Electron-pair Approximation-like Methods: A State Specific Approach

As a practical tool of being applicable to bigger molecules, a full-blown state-specific multi-reference coupled cluster formalism developed by us (Mahapatra et al. in J Chem Phys 110:6171, 1999) would be rather demanding computationally, and it is worthwhile to look for physically motivated approximation schemes which capture a substantial portion of the correlation of the full-blown theory. In this spirit, we have recently proposed coupled electron-pair approximation (CEPA)-like various approximants to the parent spin-adapted state-specific multi-reference coupled cluster (SS-MRCC) theory which depend on the inclusion of EPV terms to various degree. Here, the space of excitations is confined to the first order interactive virtual space generated by the cluster operator, but the EPV terms are included exactly. We call them spin-free state specific multi-reference CERA (SS-MRCEPA) theories. They work within the complete active space (CAS) and have been found to be very effective in bypassing the intruders, similar in performance to that of the parent SS-MRCC theory. The spin-adaptation of the working equations of both the SS-MRCC and the CEPA-like approximants is a non-trivial exercise. In this paper, we delineate briefly the essentials of a spin-free formulation of the SS-MRCC and SS-MRCEPA theories. This allows us to include open-shell configuration state functions (CSF) in the CAS. We consider three variants of SS-MRCEPA method. Two are explicitly orbital invariant: (1) SS-MRCEPA(0), a purely lineralized version of the SS-MRCC theory, (2) SS-MRCEPA(I), which includes all the EPV terms explicitly and exactly in an orbital invariant manner and (3) the SS-MRCEPA(D), which emerges when we keep only the diagonal terms of a set of dressed operators in the working equations. Unlike the first two, the third version is not invariant under the orbital transformation within the set of doubly occupied core, valence and virtual orbitals. The SS-MRCEPA methods produce very encouraging results as was evidenced in the applications on the computation of potential energy surfaces for the ground states of LiH and HF molecules.     

Development and applications of a unitary group adapted state specific multi-reference coupled cluster theory with internally contracted treatment of inactive double excitations

Any multi-reference coupled cluster (MRCC) development based on the Jeziorski-Monkhorst (JM) multi-exponential ansatz for the wave-operator Ω suffers from spin-contamination problem for non-singlet states. We have very recently proposed a spin-free unitary group adapted (UGA) analogue of the JM ansatz, where the cluster operators are defined in terms of spin-free unitary generators and a normal ordered, rather than ordinary, exponential parametrization of Ω is used. A consequence of the latter choice is the emergence of the "direct?term" of the MRCC equations that terminates at exactly the quartic power of the cluster amplitudes. Our UGA-MRCC ansatz has been utilized to generate both the spin-free state specific (SS) and the state universal MRCC formalisms. It is well-known that the SSMRCC theory requires suitable sufficiency conditions to resolve the redundancy of the cluster amplitudes. In this paper, we propose an alternative variant of the UGA-SSMRCC theory, where the sufficiency conditions are used for all cluster operators containing active orbitals and the single excitations with inactive orbitals, while the inactive double excitations are assumed to be independent of the model functions they act upon. The working equations for the inactive double excitations are thus derived in an internally contracted (IC) manner in the sense that the matrix elements entering the MRCC equations involve excitations from an entire combination of the model functions. We call this theory as UGA-ICID-MRCC, where ICID is the acronym for "Internally Contracted treatment of Inactive Double excitations." Since the number of such excitations are the most numerous, choosing them to be independent of the model functions will lead to very significant reduction in the number of cluster amplitudes for large active spaces, and is worth exploring. Moreover, unlike for the excitations involving active orbitals, where there is inadequate coupling between the model and the virtual functions in the SSMRCC equations generated from sufficiency conditions, our internally contracted treatment of inactive double excitations involves much more complete couplings. Numerical implementation of our formalism amply demonstrates the efficacy of the formalism.     

Orbital invariance issue in multireference methods

The orbital invariance problem is analyzed from the tensor theory point of view, with an emphasis on multireference coupled cluster methods. Using the transformation properties of second‐quantized operators, we discuss the orbital invariance properties of various methods by examining the tensor properties of the residual equations. A simple self‐consistency‐checking algorithm is proposed. We first establish the orbital invariance properties for the Hartree–Fock, single reference configuration interaction, single reference coupled cluster, complete‐active‐space self‐consistent‐field, and multireference configuration interaction methods, and then discuss the invariance properties of the complete‐active‐space coupled cluster and CCSDt methods. Finally, we demonstrate theoretically the lack of orbital invariance for Jeziorski–Monkhorst ansatz based methods. It appears necessary to modify the ansatz to achieve orbital invariance, and internal contraction serves as one possible solution. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2010     

Unrestricted perfect pairing: the simplest wave-function-based model chemistry beyond mean field

The perfect pairing (PP) approximation from generalized valence bond theory is formulated in an unrestricted fashion for both closed- and open-shell systems using a coupled cluster ansatz. In the model chemistry proposed here, active electron pairs are correlated, but the unpaired or radical electrons remain uncorrelated, leading to a linear number of decoupled cluster amplitudes which can be solved for analytically. The alpha and beta spatial orbitals are variationally optimized independently. This minimal treatment of electron-electron correlation noticeably improves upon symmetry-breaking problems and other pathologies in Hartree-Fock (HF) theory and may be computed using the resolution of the identity approximation at only a factor of several times more effort than HF itself. PP also generally predicts improved molecular structures over HF. This compact, correlated wave function potentially provides a useful starting point for dynamical correlation corrections.     

A second quantized formulation of valence bond theory

Valence bond theory is formulated in terms of second quantized operators and is related to the theory of the unitary group of spin-free orbital transformations. The construction of Weyl basis states, the evaluation of matrix elements, and the application to a linked-diagram valence bond perturbation theory are all discussed.     

The performance of explicitly correlated methods for the computation of anharmonic vibrational frequencies

Anharmonic vibrational frequencies for closed-shell molecules computed with CCSD(T)-F12b/aug-cc-pVTZ differ from significantly more costly composite energy methods by a mean absolute error (MAE) of 7.5 cm⁻¹ per fundamental frequency. Comparison to a few available gas phase experimental modes, however, actually lowers the MAE to 6.0 cm⁻¹. Open-shell molecules have an MAE of nearly a factor of six greater. Hence, open-shell molecular anharmonic frequencies cannot be as well-described with only explicitly correlated coupled cluster theory as their closed-shell brethren. As a result, the use of quartic force fields and vibrational perturbation theory can be opened to molecules with six or more atoms, whereas previously such computations were limited to molecules of five or fewer atoms. This will certainly assist in studies of more chemically interesting species, especially for atmospheric and interstellar infrared spectroscopic characterization.     

Efficient and accurate local single reference correlation methods for high-spin open-shell molecules using pair natural orbitals

A production level implementation of the high-spin open-shell (spin unrestricted) single reference coupled pair, quadratic configuration interaction and coupled cluster methods with up to doubly excited determinants in the framework of the local pair natural orbital (LPNO) concept is reported. This work is an extension of the closed-shell LPNO methods developed earlier [F. Neese, F. Wennmohs, and A. Hansen, J. Chem. Phys. 130, 114108 (2009); F. Neese, A. Hansen, and D. G. Liakos, J. Chem. Phys. 131, 064103 (2009)]. The internal space is spanned by localized orbitals, while the external space for each electron pair is represented by a truncated PNO expansion. The laborious integral transformation associated with the large number of PNOs becomes feasible through the extensive use of density fitting (resolution of the identity (RI)) techniques. Technical complications arising for the open-shell case and the use of quasi-restricted orbitals for the construction of the reference determinant are discussed in detail. As in the closed-shell case, only three cutoff parameters control the average number of PNOs per electron pair, the size of the significant pair list, and the number of contributing auxiliary basis functions per PNO. The chosen threshold default values ensure robustness and the results of the parent canonical methods are reproduced to high accuracy. Comprehensive numerical tests on absolute and relative energies as well as timings consistently show that the outstanding performance of the LPNO methods carries over to the open-shell case with minor modifications. Finally, hyperfine couplings calculated with the variational LPNO-CEPA∕1 method, for which a well-defined expectation value type density exists, indicate the great potential of the LPNO approach for the efficient calculation of molecular properties.     

The simulated ab initio molecular orbital technique. VI. Open-shell radicals in the spin restricted formalism

The simulated ab initio molecular orbital (SAMO ) method previously applied to RHF closed-shell and UHF open-shell situations has been applied to open-shell radicals, such as the butyl radical and the pentyl radical, within the RHF open-shell framework. The open-shell Hartree–Fock theory is developed such that a rapidly convergent iterative method for evaluating the SAMO wave-function can be employed. Results closely parallel those for the same systems using the UHF method and are of comparable accuracy to SAMO closed-shell results.     

On the simple energy relation between the RHF,UHF and closed-shell SCF methods

The simple energy relation between the RHF and UHF methods are obtained by expanding these orbital sets by the closed-shell orbital with the same geometry of the open-shell systems. The results are also applied to higher spin states.     

Van der Waals complexes of Cu, Ag, and Au with hydrogen sulfide. The bonding character

The electronic and structural features of the Cu...SH2, Ag...SH2, and Au...SH2 complexes are investigated by using the spin-adapted restricted open-shell HF coupled cluster CCSD(T) method combined with the second-order spin-free Douglas-Kroll-Hess (DKH) relativistic approach. M...SH2 complexes are nonplanar with bonding energies -5.99, -1.99, and -9.08 mHartree, respectively. Comparison with analogous M...OH2 and M...NH3 complexes allows us to establish general features of the bonding between coinage metal atoms and ligand molecules with the participation of their lone electron pairs. Consistent interpretation of the interaction effects can be obtained by using the molecular orbital picture of the M...L region. The bonding character is explained by stressing the importance of the charge transfer from the lone pair of the ligand to the metal atom. Relativistic changes of the metal element electron affinity and polarizability facilitate the understanding of major trends in the pattern of interactions between the coinage metal atoms and different lone pair donating ligands.     

An exponential multi-reference wavefunction ansatz: connectivity analysis and application to N2

A connectivity analysis for the exponential multi-reference wavefunction ansatz (MRexpT) (J Chem Phys 123:84102, 2005) is carried out. Assuming a complete model space and separating interactions carrying active labels the cluster operator carrying no active labels is fully connected. The valence (active) part of the MRexpT cluster operator, however remains disconnected. Consequently, the MRexpT correlation energy scales linearly with the number of non-active electrons as single reference coupled cluster does while MRexpT additionally can treat multi reference cases. Therefore, MRexpT should be well suited to be applied to a large number of molecular applications. Its applicability to periodic systems with multi-reference unit cells however seems to be limited. An application to the triple bond breaking of the N₂ molecule is presented.     

Unitary group approach to spin-adapted open-shell coupled cluster theory

We show that the irreducible tensor operators of the unitary group provide a natural operator basis for the exponential Ansatz which preserves the spin symmetry of the reference state, requires a minimal number of independent cluster amplitudes for each substitution order, and guarantees the invariance of the correlation energy under unitary transformations of core, open-shell, and virtual orbitals. When acting on the closed-shell reference state with n_c doubly occupied and n_v unoccupied (virtual) orbitals, the irreducible tensor operators of the group U(n_c) ? U(n_V) generate all Gelfand-Tsetlin (GT) states corresponding to appropriate irreducible representation of U(n_c + n_v). The tensor operators generating the M-tuply excited states are easily constructed by symmetrizing products of M unitary group generators with the Wigner operators of the symmetric group S_M. This provides an alternative to the Nagel-Moshinsky construction of the GT basis. Since the corresponding cluster amplitudes, which are also U(n_c) ? U(n_s) tensors, can be shown to be connected, the irreducible tensor operators of U(n_c) ? U(n_v) represent a convenient basis for a spin-adapted full coupled cluster calculation for closed-shell systems. For a high-spin reference determinant with n, singly occupied open-shell orbitals, the corresponding representation of U(n), n=n_c + n_v + n_s is not simply reducible under the group U(n_c) ? U(n_s) ? U(n_v). The multiplicity problem is resolved using the group chain U(n) ? U(n_c + n_v) ? U(n_s) ? U(n_c) ?U(n_s)? U(n_v) ? U(n_v). The labeling of the resulting configuration-state functions (which, in general, are not GT states when n_c > 1) by the irreducible representations of the intermediate group U(n_c + n_v) ?U(n_s) turns out to be equivalent to the classification based on the order of interaction with the reference state. The irreducible tensor operators defined by the above chain and corresponding to single, double, and triple substitutions from the first-, second-, and third-order interacting spaces are explicitly constructed from the U(n) generators. The connectedness of the corresponding cluster amplitudes and, consequently, the size extensivity of the resulting spin-adapted open-shell coupled cluster theory are proved using group theoretical arguments. The perturbation expansion of the resulting coupled cluster equations leads to an explicitly connected form of the spin-restricted open-shell many-body perturbation theory. Approximation schemes leading to manageable computational procedures are proposed and their relation to perturbation theory is discussed. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Spin-adapted open-shell time-dependent density functional theory. III. An even better and simpler formulation

The recently proposed spin-adapted time-dependent density functional theory (S-TD-DFT) [Z. Li and W. Liu, J. Chem. Phys. 133, 064106 (2010)] resolves the spin-contamination problem in describing singly excited states of high spin open-shell systems. It is an extension of the standard restricted open-shell Kohn-Sham-based TD-DFT which can only access those excited states due to singlet-coupled single excitations. It is also far superior over the unrestricted Kohn-Sham-based TD-DFT (U-TD-DFT) which suffers from severe spin contamination for those excited states due to triplet-coupled single excitations. Nonetheless, the accuracy of S-TD-DFT for high spin open-shell systems is still inferior to TD-DFT for well-behaved closed-shell systems. The reason can be traced back to the violation of the spin degeneracy conditions (SDC) by approximate exchange-correlation (XC) functionals. Noticing that spin-adapted random phase approximation (S-RPA) can indeed maintain the SDC by virtue of the Wigner-Eckart theorem, a hybrid ansatz combining the good of S-TD-DFT and S-RPA can immediately be envisaged. The resulting formalism, dubbed as X-TD-DFT, is free of spin contamination and can also be viewed as a S-RPA correction to the XC kernel of U-TD-DFT. Compared with S-TD-DFT, X-TD-DFT leads to much improved results for the low-lying excited states of, e.g., N(2)(+), yet with much reduced computational cost. Therefore, X-TD-DFT can be recommended for routine calculations of excited states of high spin open-shell systems.     

Evaluation of incremental correlation energies for open-shell systems: application to the intermediates of the 4-exo cyclization, arduengo carbenes and an anionic water cluster

A fully automated procedure for incremental closed-shell CCSD calculations has been extended to open-shell cases tractable with the restricted open-shell CCSD method. It is demonstrated that for monoradical intermediates of the 4-exo cyclization, the triplet state of Arduengo carbenes as well as for water cluster anions chemical accuracy can be reached with respect to the error introduced by the local correlation treatment. Finally, it is shown that the computationally less demanding evaluation of higher-order increments in a smaller basis set does not lead to significant errors.