Density Functional Theory Embedding Research Articles

Potential-functional embedding theory for molecules and materials

We introduce a potential-functional embedding theory by reformulating a recently proposed density-based embedding theory in terms of functionals of the embedding potential. This potential-functional based theory completes the dual problem in the context of embedding theory for which density-functional embedding theory has existed for two decades. With this potential-functional formalism, it is straightforward to solve for the unique embedding potential shared by all subsystems. We consider charge transfer between subsystems and discuss how to treat fractional numbers of electrons in subsystems. We show that one is able to employ different energy functionals for different subsystems in order to treat different regions with theories of different levels of accuracy, if desired. The embedding potential is solved for by directly minimizing the total energy functional, and we discuss how to efficiently calculate the gradient of the total energy functional with respect to the embedding potential. Forces are also derived, thereby making it possible to optimize structures and account for nuclear dynamics. We also extend the theory to spin-polarized cases. Numerical examples of the theory are given for some homo- and hetero-nuclear diatomic molecules and a more complicated test of a six-hydrogen-atom chain. We also test our theory in a periodic bulk environment with calculations of basic properties of bulk NaCl, by treating each atom as a subsystem. Finally, we demonstrate the theory for water adsorption on the MgO(001)surface.

Periodic density functional embedding theory for complete active space self-consistent field and configuration interaction calculations: Ground and excited states

We extend our recently reported embedding theory [J. Chem. Phys. 110, 7677 (1999)] to calculate not only improved descriptions of ground states, but now also localized excited states in a periodically infinite condensed phase. A local region of the solid is represented by a small cluster for which high quality quantum chemical calculations are performed. The interaction of the cluster with the extended condensed phase is taken into account by an effective embedding potential. This potential is calculated by periodic density functional theory (DFT) and is used as a one-electron operator in subsequent cluster calculations. Among a variety of benchmark calculations, we investigate a CO molecule adsorbed on a Pd(111) surface. By performing complete active space self-consistent field, configuration interaction (CI), and Møller–Plesset perturbation theory of order n (MP-n), we not only were able to obtain accurate adsorption energies via local corrections to DFT, but also vertical excitation energies for an internal (5σ→2π*) excitation within the adsorbed CO molecule. We demonstrate that our new scheme is an efficient and accurate approach for the calculation of local excited states in bulk metals and on metal surfaces. Additionally, a systematic means of improving locally on ground state properties is provided.