Coupled-cluster theory in a projected atomic orbital basis

We present a biorthogonal formulation of coupled-cluster (CC) theory using a redundant projected atomic orbital (PAO) basis. The biorthogonal formulation provides simple equations, where the projectors involved in the definition of the PAO basis are absorbed in the integrals. Explicit expressions for the coupled-cluster singles and doubles equations are derived in the PAO basis. The PAO CC equations can be written in a form identical to the standard molecular orbital CC equations, only with integrals that are related to the atomic orbital integrals through different transformation matrices. The dependence of cluster amplitudes, integrals, and correlation energy contributions on the distance between the participating atomic centers and on the number of involved atomic centers is illustrated in numerical case studies. It is also discussed how the present reformulation of the CC equations opens new possibilities for reducing the number of involved parameters and thereby the computational cost.     

Effective handling of a large configuration state function expansion for an MCSCF state and improved efficiency for two-electron integral transformations in MCSCF

Effective solutions for two difficulties which may be present in MCSCF calculation are discussed: (i) We show how the large configuration state function state expansion case may be handled simply and effectively without the introduction of extraneous projection operators or Lagrange multipliers; (ii) we present a simplified two-electron integral transformation procedure which significantly reduces the operation count (and hence computational efficiency is increased) for second order and particularly for third order MCSCF procedures. The procedures we introduce use some freedom available in the orthogonal complement Cl space and the virtual orbital space to simplify MCSCF calculations.     

Second- and higher-order convergence in linear and nonlinear multiconfigurational Hartree–Fock theory

We discuss how the local convergence of Newton–Raphson and fixed Hessian MCSCF iterative models may be rationalized in terms of a total order of convergence in an error vector and a corresponding error term. We demonstrate that a sequence of N Newton–Raphson iterations has a total order of convergence of 2^N and that a sequence of N fixed Hessian iterations has a total order of convergence of N + 1. We derive the error terms of a Newton–Raphson and a fixed Hessian sequence of iterations. We discuss the implementation of the fixed Hessian and the Newton–Raphson approaches both when linear and nonlinear transformations of the variables are carried out. Sample calculations show that insight into the structure of the local convergence of Newton–Raphson and fixed Hessian models can be based on an order of convergence and an error term analysis.     

A brief critique of the Adam–Gibbs entropy model

This paper critically discusses the entropy model proposed by Adam and Gibbs in 1965 for the dramatic temperature dependence of glass-forming liquids’ average relaxation time, which is one of the most influential models during the last four decades. We discuss the Adam–Gibbs model’s theoretical bases as well as its reported experimental model confirmations; in the process of doing this a number of problems with the model are identified.     

Communication: thermodynamics of condensed matter with strong pressure-energy correlations

We show that for any liquid or solid with strong correlation between its NVT virial and potential-energy equilibrium fluctuations, the temperature is a product of a function of excess entropy per particle and a function of density, T = f(s)h(ρ). This implies that (1) the system's isomorphs (curves in the phase diagram of invariant structure and dynamics) are described by h(ρ)/T = Const., (2) the density-scaling exponent is a function of density only, and (3) a Gru?neisen-type equation of state applies for the configurational degrees of freedom. For strongly correlating atomic systems one has h(ρ) = ∑(n)C(n)ρ(n/3) in which the only non-zero terms are those appearing in the pair potential expanded as ν(r) = ∑(n)ν(n)r(-n). Molecular dynamics simulations of Lennard-Jones type systems confirm the theory.     

Al2O3(1120) surface as a template for the ordered growth of Ni and Co nanoclusters

The morphology and thermal stability of Ni and Co nanoclusters grown by physical vapour deposition on a reconstructed (1120) surface of α-Al(2)O(3) is investigated using non-contact atomic force microscopy (NC-AFM). NC-AFM images reveal that the clean α-Al(2)O(3)(1120) substrate adopts a characteristic (12 × 4) reconstruction when prepared in vacuum at high temperature. Subsequent deposition of Ni and Co onto this substrate at room temperature facilitates the growth of well-ordered metal nanocluster arrays with a preferred inter-cluster distance determined by the (12 × 4) periodicity of the substrate surface. The order in the cluster arrangement remains intact even upon annealing the system to temperatures up to 500 °C indicating a high resistance against sintering. The reconstructed α-Al(2)O(3)(1120) surface can, therefore, serve as an appropriate insulating template for studies of size-dependent magnetic or catalytic effects in a well-defined ensemble of metallic nanoclusters.     

Inhibition of Cu-amyloid-β by using bifunctional peptides with β-sheet breaker and chelator moieties

Breaking the mold: Inhibition of toxic amyloid-β (Aβ) aggregates and disruption of Cu-Aβ with subsequent redox-silencing of Cu have been considered promising strategies against Alzheimer's disease. The design and proof of concept of simple peptides containing a Cu-chelating/redox-silencing unit and an Aβ-aggregation inhibition unit (β-sheet breaker) is described (see scheme).     

Stable cation inversion at the MgAl2O4(100) surface

From an interplay of atom-resolved noncontact atomic force microscopy, surface x-ray diffraction experiments, and density functional theory calculations, we reveal the detailed atomic-scale structure of the (100) surface of an insulating ternary metal oxide, MgAl2O4 (spinel). We surprisingly find that the MgAl2O4(100) surface is terminated by an Al and O-rich structure with a thermodynamically favored amount of Al atoms interchanged with Mg. This finding implies that so-called Mg-Al antisites, which are defects in the bulk of MgAl2O4, become a thermodynamically stable and integral part of the surface.     

On Ludvig Lorenz and his 1890 treatise on light scattering by spheres

The European Physical Journal H - This paper offers background and perspective on a little-known memoir by Ludvig Lorenz on light scattering by spheres, which was published in Danish in 1890. It is...