Preliminary results on the performance of a family of density functional methods

Differences in Kondo Splitting of Surface Quantum Systems Induced by Two Distinct Magnetic Tips: A Joint Method of DFT and HEOM

The interactions between a magnetic tip and local spin impurities initiate unconventional Kondo phenomena, such as asymmetric suppression or even splitting of the Kondo peak. However, a lack of realistic theoretical models and comprehensive explanations for this phenomenon persists due to the complexity of the interactions. This research employs a joint method of density functional theory (DFT) and hierarchical equation of motion (HEOM) to simulate and contrast the modulation of the spin state and Kondo behavior in the Fe/Cu(100) system with two distinct magnetic tips. A cobalt tip, possessing a larger magnetic moment, incites greater atomic displacement of the iron atom, more notable alterations in electronic structure, and enhanced charge transfer with the environment compared with the control process utilizing a nickel tip. Furthermore, the Kondo resonance undergoes asymmetric splitting as a result of the ferromagnetic correlation between the iron atom and the magnetic tip. The Co tip's higher spin polarization results in a wider spacing between the splitting peaks. This investigation underscores the precision of the DFT + HEOM approach in predicting complex quantum phenomena and explaining the underlying physical principles. This provides valuable theoretical support for developing more sophisticated quantum regulation experiments.

Tweezer-like magnetic tip control of the local spin state in the FeOEP/Pb(111) adsorption system: a preliminary exploration based on first-principles calculations

The magnetic interactions between the spin-polarized scanning tunnelling microscopy (SP-STM) tip and the localized spin impurities lead to various forms of the Kondo effect. Although these intriguing phenomena enrich Kondo physics, detailed theoretical simulations and explanations are still lacking due to the rather complex formation mechanisms. Here, by combining density functional theory (DFT), complete active space self-consistent field (CASSCF) theory, and hierarchical equations of motion (HEOM) methods, we perform first-principles-based simulation to elaborate the regulation process of the magnetic Co-tip on the spin state and transport behaviour of FeOEP/Pb(111) system. Compared with the non-magnetic tip, the stronger interaction between the magnetic tip and FeOEP molecule results in a more drastic deformation of the molecular structure with more electron transfer from the local environment to Fe-3d orbitals. The magnetic anisotropy of FeOEP changes very drastically from positive values in the tunnelling region to negative values in the contact region. The ferromagnetic electron correlation between the magnetic tip and the molecule induces an asymmetric Kondo line-shape near the Fermi level. This work highlights that the DFT + CASSCF + HEOM approach can not only predict complex quantum phenomena and explain underlying physical mechanisms, but also facilitate the design of more fascinating quantum control experiments.

Improving Results by Improving Densities: Density-Corrected Density Functional Theory

Density functional theory (DFT) calculations have become widespread in both chemistry and materials, because they usually provide useful accuracy at much lower computational cost than wavefunction-based methods. All practical DFT calculations require an approximation to the unknown exchange-correlation energy, which is then used self-consistently in the Kohn-Sham scheme to produce an approximate energy from an approximate density. Density-corrected DFT is simply the study of the relative contributions to the total energy error. In the vast majority of DFT calculations, the error due to the approximate density is negligible. But with certain classes of functionals applied to certain classes of problems, the density error is sufficiently large as to contribute to the energy noticeably, and its removal leads to much better results. These problems include reaction barriers, torsional barriers involving π-conjugation, halogen bonds, radicals and anions, most stretched bonds, etc. In all such cases, use of a more accurate density significantly improves performance, and often the simple expedient of using the Hartree-Fock density is enough. This Perspective explains what DC-DFT is, where it is likely to improve results, and how DC-DFT can produce more accurate functionals. We also outline challenges and prospects for the field.

Perspective: Fifty years of density-functional theory in chemical physics

Since its formal inception in 1964-1965, Kohn-Sham density-functional theory (KS-DFT) has become the most popular electronic structure method in computational physics and chemistry. Its popularity stems from its beautifully simple conceptual framework and computational elegance. The rise of KS-DFT in chemical physics began in earnest in the mid 1980s, when crucial developments in its exchange-correlation term gave the theory predictive power competitive with well-developed wave-function methods. Today KS-DFT finds itself under increasing pressure to deliver higher and higher accuracy and to adapt to ever more challenging problems. If we are not mindful, however, these pressures may submerge the theory in the wave-function sea. KS-DFT might be lost. I am hopeful the Kohn-Sham philosophical, theoretical, and computational framework can be preserved. This Perspective outlines the history, basic concepts, and present status of KS-DFT in chemical physics, and offers suggestions for its future development.

Three-center molecular integrals and derivatives using solid harmonic Gaussian orbital and Kohn–Sham potential basis sets

Three-center integrals over Gaussian orbital and Kohn–Sham (KS) basis sets are reviewed. An orbital basis function carries angular momentum about its atomic center. That angular momentum is created by solid harmonic differentiation with respect to the center of an s-type basis function. That differentiation can be brought outside any purely s-type integral, even nonlocal pseudopotential integrals. Thus the angular factors associated with angular momentum and differentiation with respect to atom position can be pulled outside loops over orbital and KS Gaussian exponents.

DFT simulations and vibrational analysis of FTIR and FT-Raman spectra of 2-amino-4-methyl benzonitrile

This work deals with the vibrational spectroscopy of 2-amino-4-methyl benzonitrile (AMB) by means of quantum chemical calculations. The mid and far FTIR and FT-Raman spectra were measured in the condensed state. Hartree-Fock (HF/6-31G(*)) and density functional theory (DFT, B3LYP/6-31G(*)) ab initio methods have been performed to interpret the observed vibrational spectra. The vibrational spectra were interpreted with the aid of normal coordinate analysis based on scaled density functional force field. The results of the calculations were applied to simulated infrared and Raman spectra of the title compound, which showed excellent agreement with the observed spectra.

General Performance of Density Functionals

The density functional theory (DFT) foundations date from the 1920s with the work of Thomas and Fermi, but it was after the work of Hohenberg, Kohn, and Sham in the 1960s, and particularly with the appearance of the B3LYP functional in the early 1990s, that the widespread application of DFT has become a reality. DFT is less computationally demanding than other computational methods with a similar accuracy, being able to include electron correlation in the calculations at a fraction of time of post-Hartree-Fock methodologies. In this review we provide a brief outline of the density functional theory and of the historic development of the field, focusing later on the several types of density functionals currently available, and finishing with a detailed analysis of the performance of DFT across a wide range of chemical properties and system types, reviewed from the most recent benchmarking studies, which encompass several well-established density functionals together with the most recent efforts in the field. Globally, an overall picture of the level of performance of the plethora of currently available density functionals for each chemical property is drawn, with particular attention being dedicated to the relative performance of the popular B3LYP density functional.

Density functional theory study of vibrational spectra, and assignment of fundamental vibrational modes of succinimide and N-bromosuccinimide

This work deals with the vibrational spectroscopy of succinimide and N-bromosuccinimide. The mid and far FTIR and FT-Raman spectra were measured in the condensed state. The fundamental vibrational frequencies and intensity of vibrational bands were evaluated using density functional theory (DFT) using standard B3LYP/6-31G(*) and B3LYP/6-311+G(**) methods and basis set combinations. The vibrational spectra were interpreted, with the aid of normal coordinate analysis based on a scaled quantum mechanical force field. The infrared and Raman spectra were also predicted from the calculated intensities. Comparison of simulated spectra with the experimental spectra provides important information about the ability of the computational method to describe the vibrational modes. Unambiguous vibrational assignment of all the fundamentals were made using the total energy distribution (TED).

Structure and vibrational frequencies of 2-butanimine

The conformational behavior and structural stability of 2-butanimine were investigated by utilizing ab initio calculations with 6-311++G** basis set at HF, MP2, B3LYP and BLYP levels. The vibrational frequencies of 2-butanimine were computed. Complete vibrational assignments were made on the basis of normal coordinate calculations for stable conformer of the molecule. HF results without scaled quantum mechanical (SQM) force field procedure considered are in bad agreement with experimental values. Of the two DFT methods, BLYP reproduces the observed fundamental frequencies most satisfactorily with the mean absolute deviation of the non-CH stretching modes less than 21.3 cm(-1). The results indicate that BLYP calculation is a very promising approach for understanding the observed spectral features.

Fulvalenes, Fulvenes, and Related Molecules: An ab Initio Study

Ab initio calculations using conventional (HF/6-31G and MP2/6-31G) and density functional theory (B-LYP/6-31G) methods have been used to determine the structures of the [n]fulvene and [n,m]fulvalene (n, m = 3, 5, 7) series of molecules, with particular emphasis on heptafulvalene (n = m = 7: 12). Calculations have also been performed on the parent cycloalkenes: cyclopropene, cyclopentadiene, and cycloheptatriene (1-3, respectively). All the fulvenes (n = 3, 5, 7: 4-6, respectively) and the smaller fulvalenes (n = 3, m= 3, 5, 7: 7-9, respectively, and n = m = 5: 10) are found to be planar. Pentaheptafulvalene (n = 5, m = 7: 11) adopts a very slightly nonplanar C(s)() arrangement of the five- and seven-membered rings. Heptafulvalene (12) is predicted to have an anti-folded C(2)(h)() structure, in accord with the X-ray crystal structure. We propose that the underlying reason for 11 and 12 adopting nonplanar conformations is the proximity of the H(2) and H(2)(') hydrogen atoms which promotes a distortion of the rings away from planarity at the central fulvalenic C=C double bond. In the process, pi-overlap is lost but this is partially regained by pyramidalization of the carbon centers in the seven-membered ring(s). The degree of folding is substantially more pronounced in 12 than in 11. Our calculated dipole moments, pi-electron distributions, bond alternation parameters, and energy comparisons indicate that the unknown smallest fulvalene, triafulvalene (7), is highly destabilized with localized bonding while triapentafulvalene (8), which is also unknown, is predicted to be stabilized and quite delocalized, consistent with Hückel 4n + 2 considerations.