Exploiting the flexibility of intermediate effective Hamiltonians

Relativistic state-specific multireference perturbation theory incorporating improved virtual orbitals: Application to the ground state single-bond dissociation

Using four-component (4c) relativistic spinors, we present a computationally economical relativistic ab initio method for molecular systems employing our recently proposed second-order state-specific multireference perturbation theory (SSMRPT) incorporating the improved virtual orbital-complete active space configuration interaction (IVO-CASCI) reference wavefunction. The resulting method, 4c-IVO-SSMRPT [calculate one state at a time] is tested in pilot calculations on the homonuclear dimers including Li(2), Na(2), K(2), Rb(2), F(2), Cl(2), and Br(2) through the computations of the ground state potential energy curves (PECs). As SSMRPT curbs intruder effects, 4c-IVO-SSMRPT is numerically stable. To our knowledge, the SSMRPT in the 4c relativistic framework has not been explored in the past. Selective spectroscopic constants that are closely related to the correct shape and accuracy of the energy surfaces have been extracted from the computed PECs. For the halogen molecules, a relativistic destabilization of the bond has been found. Relativistic and electron correlation effects need to be incorporated to get reliable estimates. Our results are in good accordance with reference theoretical and experimental data which manifests the computational accuracy and efficiency of the new 4c-IVO-SSMRPT method. The method opens for an improved description of MR systems containing heavy elements. The inexpensiveness of IVO-CASCI makes 4c-IVO-SSMRPT method promising for studies on large systems of heavy elements.

Variational properties of the discrete variable representation: discrete variable representation via effective operators

A variational finite basis representation/discrete variable representation (FBR/DVR) Hamiltonian operator has been introduced. By calculating its matrix elements exactly one obtains, depending on the choice of the basis set, either a variational FBR or a variational DVR. The domain of grid points on which the FBR/DVR is variational has been shown to consist of the subsets of the set of grid points one obtains by diagonalizing commuting variational basis representations of the coordinate operators. The variational property implies that the optimal of the subsets of a fixed number of points, i.e., the subset which gives the possible highest accuracy eigenpairs, gives the DVR of the smallest trace. The symmetry properties of the variational FBR/DVR Hamiltonian operator are analyzed and methods to incorporate symmetry into FBR/DVR calculations are discussed. It is shown how the Fourier-basis FBR/DVR suitable to solving periodic systems arise within the theory presented. Numerical examples are given to illustrate the theoretical results. The use of variational effective Hamiltonian and coordinate operators has been instrumental in this study. They have been introduced in a novel way by exploiting quasi-Hermiticity.