The multigrid POTFIT (MGPF) method: Grid representations of potentials for quantum dynamics of large systems

Fitting potential energy surfaces to sum-of-products form with neural networks using exponential neurons

In this paper, the use of the neural network (NN) method with exponential neurons for directly fitting ab initio data to generate potential energy surfaces (PESs) in sum-of-product form will be discussed. The utility of the approach will be highlighted using fits of CS2, HFCO, and HONO ground state PESs based upon high-level ab initio data. Using a generic interface between the neural network PES fitting, which is performed in MATLAB, and the Heidelberg multi-configuration time-dependent Hartree (MCTDH) software package, the PESs have been tested via comparison of vibrational energies to experimental measurements. The review demonstrates the potential of the PES fitting method, combined with MCTDH, to tackle high-dimensional quantum dynamics problems.

Wavepacket dynamics and the multi-configurational time-dependent Hartree approach

Multi-configurational time-dependent Hartree (MCTDH) based approaches are efficient, accurate, and versatile methods for high-dimensional quantum dynamics simulations. Applications range from detailed investigations of polyatomic reaction processes in the gas phase to high-dimensional simulations studying the dynamics of condensed phase systems described by typical solid state physics model Hamiltonians. The present article presents an overview of the different areas of application and provides a comprehensive review of the underlying theory. The concepts and guiding ideas underlying the MCTDH approach and its multi-mode and multi-layer extensions are discussed in detail. The general structure of the equations of motion is highlighted. The representation of the Hamiltonian and the correlated discrete variable representation (CDVR), which provides an efficient multi-dimensional quadrature in MCTDH calculations, are discussed. Methods which facilitate the calculation of eigenstates, the evaluation of correlation functions, and the efficient representation of thermal ensembles in MCTDH calculations are described. Different schemes for the treatment of indistinguishable particles in MCTDH calculations and recent developments towards a unified multi-layer MCTDH theory for systems including bosons and fermions are discussed.

A ground state potential energy surface for HONO based on a neural network with exponential fitting functions

Using CCSD(T)-F12/cc-pVTZ-F12 and CCSD(T)/CBS ab initio energies, two different six-dimensional ground state potential energy surfaces for HONO have been fit in sum-of-products form using neural network exponential fitting functions and tested by computing vibrational energies with MCTDH.

Two New Methods To Generate Internal Coordinates for Molecular Wave Packet Dynamics in Reduced Dimensions

The curse of dimensionality still remains as the central challenge of molecular quantum dynamical calculations. Either compromises on the accuracy of the potential landscape have to be made or methods must be used that reduce the dimensionality of the configuration space of molecular systems to a low dimensional one. For dynamic approaches such as grid-based wave packet dynamics that are confined to a small number of degrees of freedom this dimensionality reduction can become a major part of the overall problem. A common strategy to reduce the configuration space is by selection of a set of internal coordinates using chemical intuition. We devised two methods that increase the degree of automation of the dimensionality reduction as well as replace chemical intuition by more quantifiable criteria. Both methods reduce the dimensionality linearly and use the intrinsic reaction coordinate as guidance. The first one solely relies on the intrinsic reaction coordinate (IRC), whereas the second one uses semiclassical trajectories to identify the important degrees of freedom.

Rotational effects on the dissociation dynamics of CHD3 on Pt(111)

MCTDH calculations suggest that experiments on the effect of alignment on dissociation of CH₄ on metal surfaces are affected by steering.

Two new methods for computing vibrational energy levels

I review two new ideas for coping with the size of large product basis sets and large product grids when one computes vibrational energy levels. The first is based on a tensor reduction scheme. It exploits advantages of a sum-of-products potential. The key idea is to use a basis each of whose function is a sum of optimized products and to compress the number of terms in each basis function. When the potential does not have the sum-of-products form, it is usually necessary to use quadrature. The second idea uses a nondirect product grid that has structure and is therefore compatible with efficient matrix–vector products.

Full-dimensional MCTDH/MGPF study of the ground and lowest lying vibrational states of the bihydroxide H3O2(-) complex

In this study, we present a full-dimensional (9D) quantum dynamical analysis of the lowest vibrational eigenstates of H3O2(-). We have made use of the Multiconfiguration Time-Dependent Hartree method in conjunction with both an analytical and a numerical representation of the Kinetic Energy Operator and the newly developed Multigrid POTFIT [D. Peláez, H.-D. Meyer, J. Chem. Phys. 138 (2013) 014108], an algorithm which performs the transformation of a high-dimensional (up to ~12D) Potential Energy tensor into product form. Many sets of top-down Multigrid POTFIT expansions, differing in the system coordinate definition (valence and Jacobi), as well as in the number of terms in the expansion, have been analyzed. Relaxations for the computation of the ground states energies have been carried out on these potentials, obtaining an excellent overall agreement with accurate previous Diffusion Monte Carlo (DMC) calculations, irrespective of the coordinate choice. The 24 lowest excited vibrational states of H3O2(-) have been computed by Block Relaxation and assigned for the first time. This has been carried out in two different pictures, namely: a 7D reduced dimensional one, in which the OH distances have been frozen at the Potential Energy Surface minimum, and a 9D full-dimensional one. The agreement between both descriptions is remarkable. The following fundamental modes have been characterized: OH torsion, OO stretching, OH wagging, OH rocking, and the elusive bridging H stretching. In particular, we provide a very accurate description of the latter in perfect agreement with experiment.

First-principles simulations of vibrational states and spectra for H5(+) and D5(+) clusters using multiconfiguration time-dependent Hartree approach

Simulations of the infrared (IR) spectra of the H5(+) and D5(+) clusters are carried out in the whole energy range, using a recent, reliable "on the fly" DFT-based potential energy surface, and its corresponding dipole moment surface. For the present study we adopted a recently proposed four-dimensional quantum model to describe the proton transfer motion between the two vibrating H2 or D2 units. Time-dependent and time-independent approaches within the multiconfiguration time-dependent Hartree method are employed for investigating the vibrational dynamics of the complexes. The obtained spectra are compared with recent experimental data available for energies up to 4500 and 3500 cm(-1) for the H5(+) and D5(+), respectively. Even though the present results are based on a reduced dimensional model, the infrared spectra are shown to be in good qualitative accord with those observed experimentally. Also as the reported data are subject to the potential energy surface, comparisons with previous theoretical calculations based on an analytical ab initio parameterized surface are also presented. The differences on the topology of the potentials are discussed in connection with their effect on the spectral features. We found that the main characteristics of the experimentally observed spectra are reproduced by both surfaces, evaluating in this way the sensitivity of such computations on the quality of the underlying potential. This finding serves to connect aspects of the potential surface of these systems to their spectral complexity, and could be indicative to calibrate intrinsic errors in their calculation for future studies.