Quasi-degenerate perturbation theory with general multiconfiguration self-consistent field reference functions

The quasi-degenerate perturbation theory (QDPT) with complete active space (CAS) self-consistent field (SCF) reference functions is extended to the general multiconfiguration (MC) SCF references functions case. A computational scheme that utilizes both diagrammatic and sum-over-states approaches is presented. The second-order effective Hamiltonian is computed for the external intermediate configurations (including virtual or/and core orbitals) by the diagrammatic approach and for internal intermediate configurations (including only active orbitals) by the configuration interaction matrix-based sum-over-states approach. The method is tested on the calculations of excitation energies of H(2)O, potential energy curves of LiF, and valence excitation energies of H(2)CO. The results show that the present method yields very close results to the corresponding CAS-SCF reference QDPT results and the available experimental values. The deviations from CAS-SCF reference QDPT values are less than 0.1 eV on the average for the excitation energies of H(2)O and less than 1 kcal/mol for the potential energy curves of LiF. In the calculation of the valence excited energies of H(2)CO, the maximum deviation from available experimental values is 0.28 eV.     

Analytic techniques for the coupled multiconfiguration SCF perturbation theory

The perturbation theory based on the paired excitation multiconfiguration self-consistent field approach of Clementi and Veillard is considered. The coupled first-order perturbed orbital equations are analysed and an appropriate computational scheme for their solution is discussed. The proposed computational scheme is analogous to the technique employed for the solution of the coupled Hartree–Fock equations in the one-configuration approximation. However, because of the presence ofnondiagonal Lagrangian multipliers and the use of different one-electron operators for different orbitals, the present scheme raises some new computational problems. In this context a new technique for the solution of the unperturbed multiconfiguration self-consistent field equations is proposed. A simple illustration of the superiority of the multiconfiguration perturbation approach with respect to the ordinary coupled Hartree–Fock scheme is given. Also the validity of the variation formulation of the presented scheme and its relation to the finite-field approach are discussed.     

Spin component scaling in multiconfiguration perturbation theory

We investigate a term-by-term scaling of the second-order energy correction obtained by perturbation theory (PT) starting from a multiconfiguration wave function. The total second-order correction is decomposed into several terms, based on the level and the spin pattern of the excitations. To define individual terms, we extend the same spin/different spin categorization of spin component scaling in various ways. When needed, identification of the excitation level is facilitated by the pivot determinant underlying the multiconfiguration PT framework. Scaling factors are determined from the stationary condition of the total energy calculated up to order 3. The decomposition schemes are tested numerically on the example of bond dissociation profiles and energy differences. We conclude that Grimme's parameters determined for single-reference M?ller-Plesset theory may give a modest error reduction along the entire potential surface, if adopting a multireference based PT formulation. Scaling factors obtained from the stationary condition show relatively large variation with molecular geometry, at the same time they are more efficient in reducing the error when following a bond dissociation process.     

Configuration selection within vibrational multiconfiguration self-consistent field theory: application to bridged lithium compounds

A configuration selection scheme has been used to speed up vibrational multiconfiguration self-consistent field calculations. Deviations with respect to reference calculations were found to be negligible while yielding an acceleration of about two orders of magnitude. Its application to bridged lithium compounds (Li(2)H(2), Li(2)F(2), Li(2)O(2), and Li(3)F(3)) based on high-level coupled-cluster potential energy surfaces provides accurate vibrational transitions for all fundamental modes. The explicit inclusion of 4-mode couplings was found to be important for Li(2)H(2).     

Pseudopotential method for the direct construction of localized orbitals by multiconfiguration self-consistent field theory

The orbital equations for the direct construction of localized fixed orbitals by multiconfiguration self-consistent field theory (MCSCF-FXO) are transformed without approximation into pseudopotential form by a two-step process. First the utilization of a particular family of localization is shown to separate the set of orbital equations into two sets of coupled equations, one describing “valence” orbitals and one describing “core” orbitals. In addition we obtain by appropriate choice of localization potential three different sets of MCSCF-FXO orbitals, namely: maximally screened, “one-center” and “intermediate” orbitals. In the second step the orbital equations are transformed into pseudopotential form and explicit non-local pseudopotentials yielding and core orbitals are obtained. Finally, several different physically motivated approximations to the exact pseudopotentials, and the frozen-core approximation are discussed.     

Semiclassical self-consistent field perturbation theory for the hydrogen atom in a magnetic field

A recently developed perturbation theory for solving self-consistent field equations is applied to the hydrogen atom in a strong magnetic field. This system has been extensively studied using other methods and is therefore a good test case for the new method. The perturbation theory yields summable large-order expansions. The accuracy of the self-consistent field approximation varies according to field strength and quantum state but is often higher than the accuracy from adiabatic approximations. A new derivation is presented for the asymptotic adiabatic approximation, the most useful of the adiabatic approaches. This derivation uses semiclassical perturbation theory without invoking an adiabatic hypothesis. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Quant Chem 69: 183–192, 1998     

SCF perturbation theory for unimolecular reactions

A CNDO/2 SCF perturbation theory is presented for interpreting the form of CNDO/2 potential energy surfaces of unimolecular reactions. The analysis is performed by calculating the energy change E arising from a distortion of the molecular geometry along the reaction coordinate. E is decomposed into different perturbational contributions which are appropriate for an interpretation of the perturbation energy E. Moreover, E is resolved into energy parts arising from a single occupied orbital and contributions due to pairwise orbital interactions. In this way one evaluates numerically how the form of the occupied and unoccupied orbitals determines the magnitude of E. If the distortion occurs along a definite symmetry coordinate, group-theoretical arguments can be applied to discuss the magnitude of characteristic components of the perturbation energy. The SCF perturbation theory is used to analyze the isomerization of ethylene, cis-2-butene and cis-2-butenenitrile.This work was partially supported by Nato-Grant No. 1072     

SCF perturbation theory and intermolecular interactions

A self-consistent perturbation theory is derived in the framework of Roothaan's MOLCAO procedure for closed shell systems. Contrary to previous investigations which have considered only one particle perturbations, two particle perturbation operators are considered. Expressions for the first-order density matrix and first- and second-order energy corrections are obtained. A diagram formulation of the complete perturbation expansion is presented. The results are applied to the treatment of the intermolecular interaction problem. The interaction energy is represented as a sum of several contributions: Coulomb, exchange, resonance, polarization and exchange repulsion. A semi-empirical version of the theory is suggested which explicitly involves all the physically significant energy terms and may be useful for the investigation of complex systems.     

A semiclassical self-consistent field (SC SCF) approximation for eigenvalues of coupled-vibration systems

The self-consistent-field (SCF) approximation for coupled-vibron systems in the semiclassical limit yields Hartree-type equations, in which only the eigenenergies and turning points are self-consistently evaluated. Calculations yield vibrational energies in excellent agreement with quantum SCF and exact quantum results. Applications and extensions are briefly discussed.     

Non self-consistent field theory

Roothaan's SCF method [2] is reformulated so that two non-SCP methods are developed to solve the eigenequation. The results from these methods can be used as starting eigenfunctions for Roothaan's SCF method.

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Zusammenfassung Die self-consistent field Methode von Roothaan [2] wird neu formuliert: dabei werden zwei Nicht-SCF Methoden zur Lösung der Eigenwertgleichung entwickelt. Deren Resultate können als Anfangsfunktionen bei Rechnungen mit der SCF-Methode von Roothaan benutzt werden.

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Résumé La méthode SCF de Roothaan [2] est reformulée en développant deux méthodes non-SCF pour la solution de l'équation aux valeurs propres. Les résultats de ces deux méthodes peuvent être utilisées comme fonctions de départ pour la méthode SCF de Roothaan.

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The title Theoretical Chemistry has been transferred to the Division of Physical Chemistry.     

Nonvariational time-dependent multiconfiguration self-consistent field equations for electronic dynamics in laser-driven molecules

A time-dependent multiconfiguration self-consistent field (TDMCSCF) scheme is developed to describe the time-resolved electron dynamics of a laser-driven many-electron atomic or molecular system, starting directly from the time-dependent Schrodinger equation for the system. This nonvariational formulation aims at the full exploitations of concepts, tools, and facilities of existing, well-developed quantum chemical MCSCF codes. The theory uses, in particular, a unitary representation of time-dependent configuration mixings and orbital transformations. Within a short-time, or adiabatic approximation, the TDMCSCF scheme amounts to a second-order split-operator algorithm involving generically the two noncommuting one-electron and two-electron parts of the time-dependent electronic Hamiltonian. We implement the scheme to calculate the laser-induced dynamics of the two-electron H2 molecule described within a minimal basis, and show how electron correlation is affected by the interaction of the molecule with a strong laser field.     

Quasi-degenerate second-order perturbation theory for occupation restricted multiple active space self-consistent field reference functions

A multi-configuration quasi-degenerate second-order perturbation method based on the occupation restricted multiple active space (ORMAS-PT/ORMAS) reference wavefunction is presented. ORMAS gives one the ability to approximate a complete active space self-consistent field (CASSCF) wavefunction using only a subset of the configurations from the CASSCF space. The essential idea behind ORMAS-PT is to use the multi-reference M?ller-Plesset formalism to correct the ORMAS reference energy. A computational scheme employing direct CI methodology is presented. Several tests are presented to demonstrate the performance of the ORMAS-PT method.     

Calculation of molecular geometries by SCF perturbation theory

An SCF perturbation method for investigating the effects of an arbitrary change in nuclear configuration on the electronic structure of a molecule is reported. Illustrative calculations for CO₂ and CH₃OH are presented. It is found that, when taken to second order, the error in the calculated change in energy which results from a change in nuclear configuration is typically in the range of 0.1 to 7%.     

Complete multi-configuration self-consistent field theory

The two-configuration self-consistent field formalism previously presented in this Journal is extended and the CMC SCF LCAO MO (complete multi-configuration self-consistent field LCAO MO) technique is presented. The single Slater determinant for a 2n electron system is replaced by a combination of determinants built from two sets of MO's, one containingn orbitals; the second, ( —n) orbitals. All the possible double excitations from the (n) set to the ( —n) set are considered. The orbitals as well as the linear combination of determinants are simultaneously optimized making use of the self-consistent field technique.

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Zusammenfassung Es wird die Methode des self-consistent field für eine Gesamtheit mehrerer Konfigurationen in der LCAO-Näherung entwickelt. Ein 2n-Elektronensystem wird nicht mehr durch eine einzige Slaterdeterminante, sondern durch eine Kombination von Determinanten beschrieben, die aus zwei Sätzen von Molekülfunktionen mitn bzw. ( —n) Orbitalen aufgebaut werden. Alle möglichen zweifachen Anregungen vom (n) zum ( —n) Satz werden berücksichtigt. Mit Hilfe der SCF-Teehnik werden sowohl die Orbitale als auch die Kombination der Determinanten gleichzeitig optimiert.

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Résumé On expose la méthode du champ self-consistant pour un ensemble complet de plusieurs configurations, dans l'approximation LCAO-MO (CMC SCF LCAO MO). Le déterminant de Slater pour un système de 2n électrons est remplacé par une combinaison de déterminants construits a partir de deux ensembles d'orbitales moléculaires, l'un contenant (n) orbitales et l'autre (-n) orbitales. On considère toutes les doubles excitations possibles, de l'ensemble (n) à l'ensemble (-n). La technique du champ self-consistant permet d'optimiser simultanément les orbitales ainsi que les coefficients dans la combinaison linéaire de determinants. La méthode CMC SCF tient plainement compte de la corrélation associée à chaque paire d'électrons et fait intervenir toutes les interactions paire-paire. L'optimisation simultanée des orbitales des deux ensembles (n) et (-n) garantit une convergence rapide.

     

Two-configuration,self-consistent field theory

The Hartree-Fock pseudoeigenvalues equations have been derived for configuration interaction in the case of two atomic configurations ns ² np ^N and np ^N+2. A special case of investigation is the interaction between the nearly-degenerate configurations 1s ²2s ²2p ^N and 1s ²2p ^N+2. The LCAO form of the equations has also been established.

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Zusammenfassung Hartree-Fock Pseudoeigenwertgleichungen werden für die Konfigurationswechselwirkung im Fall der zwei Atomkonfigurationen ns² np ^N und np ^N+2 abgeleitet. Ein Spezialfall, der untersucht wird, ist die Wechselwirkung zwischen den beinahe entarteten Konfigurationen 1s ²2s ²2d ^N und 1s ²2p ^N+2. Die Gleichungen werden auch in ihrer LCAO Form angegeben.

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Résumé On établit les équations de Hartree-Fock correspondant à une interaction de configurationentre deux configurations atomiques ns ² np ^N et np ^N+2. Le cas simple d'interaction entre les deux configurations presque dégénérées 1s ²2s ²2p ^N et 1s ²2p ^N+2 a été plus particulièrement étudié. Les équations sont également présentées sous leur forme L.C.A.O.

     

Application of SCF perturbation theory to molecular calculations

A method for solving Roothaan's molecular orbital equations by means of SCF perturbation theory is presented. An estimate of the accuracy of the third order expansion is made for the CNDO/2 approximation from a comparison of the results from direct calculations. It is found that the third order theory is sufficiently accurate for quantitative studies.