Cluster configuration method: application to the spectra of π-electron systems

A simplified method to calculate the excitation spectra of π-electron systems is proposed. The method is based on the assumption that a “cluster” approximation can be applied to excited states. It is demonstrated that, for the low-lying triplet and optically allowed states of butadiene, hexatriene and benzene, the method yields good agreement with complete CI calculations in the Pariser–Pan–Pople approximation.