High-level Multireference Configuration Interaction Research Articles

A high-level abinitio study of the photodissociation of acetaldehyde.

Acetaldehyde is a very relevant atmospheric species whose photodissociation has been extensively studied in the first absorption band both experimentally and theoretically. Very few works have been reported on acetaldehyde photodissociation at higher excitation energies. In this work, the photodissociation dynamics of acetaldehyde is investigated by means of high-level multireference configuration interaction abinitio calculations. Five different fragmentation pathways of acetaldehyde are explored by calculating the potential-energy curves of the ground and several excited electronic states along the corresponding dissociating bond distances. The excitation energy range covered in the study is up to 10eV, nearly the ionization energy of acetaldehyde. We intend to rationalize the available experimental results and, in particular, to elucidate why some of the studied fragmentation pathways are experimentally observed in the different excitation energy regions and some others are not. Based on the shape of the calculated potential curves, we are able to explain the main findings of the available experiments, also suggesting possible dynamical dissociation mechanisms in the different energy regions. Thus, the reported potential curves are envisioned as a useful tool to interpret the currently available experiments as well as future ones on acetaldehyde photodissociation at excitation wavelengths in the range studied here.

Exploring the photochemistry of OAlOH: Photodissociation pathways and electronic spectra.

This study was focused on the photochemistry of OAlOH and three possible pathways, which were studied with high-level multireference configuration interaction abinitio calculations. We computed cuts of the six-dimensional potential energy surfaces for the ground, the lowest singlet and triplet excited states, and probed the photodissociation mechanisms and the stabilities. The OAlOH electronic spectrum, with an energy reaching 7.15eV, contained four prominent peaks. Photodissociation to AlO, OH, and AlOH constituted a plausible mechanism within the deep-UV range (λ = 250.4nm). Our data indicated the photostability of OAlOH in the near-UV‒Vis region, so detection with laser-induced fluorescence is possible. Fluorescence and phosphorescence may occur upon excitation at 363.5nm. The roles of OAlOH in the photochemical reactions of Al-bearing molecules in the upper atmosphere and VY Canis Majoris are discussed.

Transition probabilities and radiative lifetimes of C[formula omitted]: A high level theoretical investigation

Dicarbon species are of particular interest within the physical chemistry community. However, contrary to neutral C2, the theory of electronic structure and spectra concerning C2− ions is not well-established. To address this gap in information, high-level multireference configuration interaction (MRCI) calculations have been performed, and new potential energy curves for fourteen low-lying states of C2− are reported. The best estimate for the ground dissociation energy is 64,720 cm−1 at the MRCI+Q/AV5Z level of theory. The first excited state, A2Πu, lies at 3,836 cm−1 (Re = 2.4829 a0 and ωe = 1649 cm−1). The infrared A2Πu − X2Σg+ transition has Einstein coefficients of the order of 103–104 s−1. The lifetime of the A2Πu state is given in microseconds. For the B2Σu+ state, it was calculated τ0≈ 78 ns in good accord with the experimental value of 77 ± 8 ns. The a4Σu+ state is placed at an excitation energy of 32,369 cm−1, much higher than expected by experimentalists (19,448 cm−1). The spin-forbidden transitions a4Σu+ − X2Σg+ are strong enough to be detected experimentally (A04≈ 3 × 106 s−1). The 14Πg − a4Σu+ transitions are more concentrated in the IR region. The radiative lifetime of 14Πg is computed to be 12μs. There is no doubt that the current data considerably enhance our understanding of the spectroscopy of C2−.

A High-level Ab Initio Study of the Destruction of Methanimine under UV Radiation

The photodecomposition of methanimine (CH2NH) in the interstellar medium through several possible pathways is investigated by means of high-level multireference configuration interaction ab initio calculations. Among these pathways are photodissociation pathways involving hydrogen-atom elimination from both the CH2 and NH groups, and fragmentation into CH2 and NH. Potential-energy curves for the ground and several excited electronic states, as well as nonadiabatic couplings between them, are calculated. Possible dissociation mechanisms are discussed for the different pathways. It is found that the minimum excitation energy required for methanimine dissociation is above 7 eV. By using a two-dimensional representation of methanimine, CH2NH → CHNH2 isomerization is explored as an additional methanimine decomposition pathway. Hydrogen-atom elimination from the CH2 group is also investigated along the isomerization pathway. The results show that the isomerization proceeds by overcoming a transition state that in the first two excited states would require excitation energies similar to or somewhat lower than the typical minimum energies needed for breaking the molecule through the fragmentation pathways. Therefore, CH2NH → CHNH2 isomerization can effectively contribute to methanimine decomposition, competing efficiently with the photodissociation pathways. The radiation content present in the interstellar medium makes possible the occurrence of all the pathways studied.

Toward a Unified Analytical Description of Internal Conversion and Intersystem Crossing in the Photodissociation of Thioformaldehyde. I. Diabatic Singlet States.

The photodissociation of thioformaldehyde is an archetypal system for the study of competition between internal conversion and intersystem crossing, which involves its two singlet states (S0 and S1) and two triplet states (T1 and T2). In order to perform accurate dynamic simulations, either quantum or quasi-classical, it is essential to construct an analytical representation for all necessary electronic structure data. In this work, a diabatic potential energy matrix (DPEM), Hd, for the two singlet states (S0 and S1) is reported. The analytical form of DPEM is symmetrized and constructed to reproduce adiabatic energies, energy gradients, and derivative couplings obtained from high-level multireference configuration interaction wave functions. The Hd is fully saturated in the molecular configuration space with a trajectory-guided point sampling approach. This Hd can provide the accurate description of the photodissociation of thioformaldehyde on its singlet states and is also a necessary part for incorporating the spin-orbit couplings into a unified diabatic framework. Preliminary quasi-classical trajectory simulations show that a roaming mechanism also exists in the molecular dissociation channel of thioformaldehyde.

Spin-orbit coupling effects in the spectroscopy and predissociation of the low-lying states of germanium monobromide

In this work, the electronic structure of GeBr is investigated by high-level multireference configuration interaction (MRCI) method plus Davidson correction (+Q). To improve the accuracy of the computations, the core-valence (CV) electrons correlations, and spin-orbit coupling (SOC) effect are considered. The potential energy curves (PECs) of 23 low-lying states correlated with the lowest three dissociation limits are obtained, as well as those of 45 Ω states originated from the 23 low-lying states. The spectroscopic constants of low-lying states are obtained, which are in agreement with the available experiments. The abrupt variations of dipole moments (DMs) are attributed to the change of the electronic configurations in the avoided crossing regions. Based on the computed PECs of the electronic states and SO matrix elements, the predissociation pathway of the vibrational levels of 4Σ− and 2Π(Ⅲ) sates are discussed. Finally, the transition dipole moments (TDMs), Franck-Condon factors (FCFs), and radiative lifetimes of A2Σ+-X2Π, 2Π(Ⅲ)-X2Π, 1/2(Ⅱ)-X2Π1/2, 1/2(Ⅲ)-X2Π1/2, X2Π3/2-X2Π1/2, and 3/2(Ⅱ)-X2Π1/2 transitions are estimated.

Spin-orbit calculations on SnBr: Potential energy curves, dipole moments and radiative lifetimes

The electronic structures and spectroscopic properties of SnBr molecule are calculated by high-level multireference configuration interaction (MRCI) method. The Davidson correction (+Q) and spin-orbit coupling (SOC) effect are investigated in the calculations. The potential energy curves (PECs) of 23 Ʌ-S states and 45 Ω states generated from those Ʌ-S states are obtained. Based on the calculated PECs, the spectroscopic constants of the bound states are evaluated, which are in good accordance with previous experimental data. At the avoided crossing point, the dipole moments (DMs) of Ʌ-S states exhibit abrupt change, which are attributed to the change of electronic configurations of those states. With the help of the calculated SO matrix elements, the interaction between 14Σ- and nearby states is analyzed, and the possible predissociation pathway of low-lying vibrational levels of 14Σ- is illuminated. In the end, transition dipole moments (TDMs) and the radiative lifetimes from the excited states to the ground state are determined.

Understanding the chemical bonding of ground and excited states of HfO and HfB with correlated wavefunction theory and density functional approximations.

Knowledge of the chemical bonding of HfO and HfB ground and low-lying electronic states provides essential insights into a range of catalysts and materials that contain Hf-O or Hf-B moieties. Here, we carry out high-level multi-reference configuration interaction theory and coupled cluster quantum chemical calculations on these systems. We compute full potential energy curves, excitation energies, ionization energies, electronic configurations, and spectroscopic parameters with large quadruple-ζ and quintuple-ζ quality correlation consistent basis sets. We also investigate equilibrium chemical bonding patterns and effects of correlating core electrons on property predictions. Differences in the ground state electron configuration of HfB(X4Σ-) and HfO(X1Σ+) lead to a significantly stronger bond in HfO than HfB, as judged by both dissociation energies and equilibrium bond distances. We extend our analysis to the chemical bonding patterns of the isovalent HfX (X = O, S, Se, Te, and Po) series and observe similar trends. We also note a linear trend between the decreasing value of the dissociation energy (De) from HfO to HfPo and the singlet-triplet energy gap (ΔES-T) of the molecule. Finally, we compare these benchmark results to those obtained using density functional theory (DFT) with 23 exchange-correlation functionals spanning multiple rungs of "Jacob's ladder." When comparing DFT errors to coupled cluster reference values on dissociation energies, excitation energies, and ionization energies of HfB and HfO, we observe semi-local generalized gradient approximations to significantly outperform more complex and high-cost functionals.

Configuration interaction study on excited electronic states and radiative lifetimes of SnI including spin-orbit coupling

In this work, the high-level multireference configuration interaction (MRCI) method is used to accurately calculate the electronic structure of SnI. In order to guarantee the computational precision, the Davidson correction (+Q), core-valence (CV) electrons correlations and spin-orbit coupling (SOC) effect are also considered. According to the calculated potential energy curves (PECs) of the Λ-S states and Ω states, the spectroscopic constants of the bound states are estimated. The interaction of crossing states are investigated, and with the aid of calculated SO matrix elements, the predissociation pathways of 14Σ− state are revealed. In addition, the transition dipole moments (TDMs) and Franck-Condon factors (FCFs) from the excited states to the ground state are determined. Finally, the radiative lifetimes of bound states are calculated, and the influences of SOC effect on radiative lifetimes are illuminated.

Localized and Delocalized States of a Diamine Cation: Resolution of a Controversy.

Recent Rydberg spectroscopy measurements of a diamine molecule, N,N′-dimethylpiperazine (DMP), indicate the existence of a localized electronic state as well as a delocalized electronic state. This implies that the cation, DMP+, can similarly have its positive charge either localized on one of the N atoms or delocalized over both. This interpretation of the experiments has, however, been questioned based on coupled cluster calculations. In this article, results of high-level multireference configuration interaction calculations are presented where a localized state of DMP+ is indeed found to be present with an energy barrier separating it from the delocalized state. The energy difference between the two states is in excellent agreement with the experimental estimate. The results presented here, therefore, support the original interpretation of the experiments and illustrate a rare shortcoming of CCSD(T), the “gold standard” of quantum chemistry. These results have implications for the development of density functionals, as most functionals fail to produce the localized state.

Spectroscopic identification of the low-lying electronic states of S2 molecule.

As is well-known, the S2 molecule is a ubiquitous intermediate in the combustion, atmosphere, and interstellar space. The six low-lying bound states of S2 have been characterized via photoelectron velocity map imaging and a high-level multi-reference configuration interaction method with the Davidson correction. Spectroscopic constants have been extracted by fitting the potential energy curves extrapolated to the complete basis set limit with a series of Dunning's correlation-consistent basis sets: aug-cc-pV(Q, 5)Z. The calculated spectroscopic parameters well reproduce the experimental results in this work. On the basis of the theoretical calculations, Franck-Condon simulations are performed to assign six adjacent electronic states, especially for three higher overlapping electronic states (c1Σu -, A'3Δu, and A3Σu +). The dissociation energy De of the S2 - is evaluated to be 4.111 (4) eV in this work, in agreement with the theoretical prediction (4.056 eV).

Vacuum ultraviolet excited state dynamics of the smallest ring, cyclopropane. I. A reinterpretation of the electronic spectrum and the effect of intensity borrowing.

Cyclopropane, the smallest organic ring compound, exhibits complex spectroscopy and excited state dynamics. In Paper I, we reinterpret the vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) electronic absorption spectrum of cyclopropane via ab initio computation. The first two bands in the VUV spectrum are simulated using wavepacket propagations employing the multiconfigurational time-dependent Hartee method and a newly parameterized linear vibronic coupling Hamiltonian. The parameters of the model Hamiltonian are obtained directly from high level multireference configuration interaction calculations. An analysis of the results, with an emphasis on previously neglected vibronic coupling effects, reveals that these vibronic coupling terms must be included in order to account for strong intensity borrowing effects. This treatment dramatically changes the assignment of much of the VUV spectrum, with intensity borrowing by the optically dark (σ3p x /3p y ) and (σ3p x /3p y ) states from the E'(σ3p x /3p y ) state being found to give rise to almost all the spectral intensities below 8 eV. This is in stark contrast to previous studies, which attributed the first two bands to transitions to the E'(σ3p x /3p y ) state. This highlights the limitations of assigning spectral features based solely on calculated electronic excitation energies and oscillator strengths. Furthermore, we address the significant but infrequently discussed difficulties involved in determining the electronic character of a wavepacket produced in the pump step of ultrafast pump-probe experiments for systems exhibiting strong vibronic coupling.

Associative detachment (AD) paths for H and CN- in the gas-phase: astrophysical implications.

The direct dynamical paths leading to Associative Detachment (AD) in the gas-phase, and specifically in the low-temperature regions of the Dark Molecular Clouds (DMC) in the ISM, or in cold trap laboratory experiments, are investigated with quantum chemical methods by using a high-level multi-reference Configuration Interaction (CI) approach that employs single and double excitations plus Davidson perturbative correction [MRSDCI(Q)] and the d-aug-cc-pV5Z basis set. The potential energy curves for H + CN- are constructed for different directions of the H partner approaching the CN- anion within the framework of the Born-Oppenheimer approximation. The present calculations found that the AD energetics at low temperature becomes favorable only along a selected range of approaching directions, thus showing that there is a preferred path of forming HCN at low temperatures, while that of forming its HNC isomer is found to be energetically forbidden. Given the existence in the ISM of different HCN/HNC ratios in different environments, we discuss the implications of our findings for selective formation of either isomer in the low-temperature conditions of the molecular cloud cores.

Power Series Approximation for the Correlation Kernel Leading to Kohn-Sham Methods Combining Accuracy, Computational Efficiency, and General Applicability.

A power series approximation for the correlation kernel of time-dependent density-functional theory is presented. Using this approximation in the adiabatic-connection fluctuation-dissipation (ACFD) theorem leads to a new family of Kohn-Sham methods. The new methods yield reaction energies and barriers of unprecedented accuracy and enable a treatment of static (strong) correlation with an accuracy of high-level multireference configuration interaction methods but are single-reference methods allowing for a black-box-like handling of static correlation. The new methods exhibit a better scaling of the computational effort with the system size than rivaling wave-function-based electronic structure methods. Moreover, the new methods do not suffer from the problem of singularities in response functions plaguing previous ACFD methods and therefore are applicable to any type of electronic system.

Configuration interaction studies on the spectroscopic properties of PbO including spin–orbit coupling**Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 11404180 and 11574114), the Natural Science Foundation of Heilongjiang Province, China (Grant No. A2015010), the University Nursing Program for Young Scholars with Creative Talents in Heilongjiang Province, China (Grant No. UNPYSCT-2015095), and the Natural Science Foundation of

Lead oxide (PbO), which plays the key roles in a range of research fields, has received a great deal of attention. Owing to the large density of electronic states and heavy atom Pb including in PbO, the excited states of the molecule have not been well studied. In this work, high level multireference configuration interaction calculations on the low-lying states of PbO have been carried out by utilizing the relativistic effective core potential. The effects of the core-valence correlation correction, the Davidson modification, and the spin–orbital coupling on the electronic structure of the PbO molecule are estimated. The potential energy curves of 18 Λ-S states correlated to the lowest dissociation limit (Pb (3Pg) + O(3Pg)) are reported. The calculated spectroscopic parameters of the electronic states below 30000 cm−1, for instance, X1Σ+, 13Σ+, and 13Σ−, and their spin–orbit coupling interaction, are compared with the experimental results, and good agreements are derived. The dipole moments of the 18 Λ-S states are computed with the configuration interaction method, and the calculated dipole moments of X1Σ+ and 13Σ+ are consistent with the previous experimental results. The transition dipole moments from 11Π, 21Π, and 21Σ+ to X1Σ+ and other singlet excited states are estimated. The radiative lifetime of several low-lying vibrational levels of 11Π, 21Π, and 21Σ+ states are evaluated.

On the HCN - HNC Energy Difference.

The value for the HCN → HNC 0 K isomerization energy has been investigated by combining state-of-the-art electronic structure methods with the Active Thermochemical Tables (ATcT) approach. The directly computed energy difference between HCN and HNC at the HEAT-456QP level of theory is 5236 ± 50 cm(-1). This is substantially lower (by ∼470 cm(-1) or ∼1.3 kcal/mol) than the recently proposed high-level multireference configuration interaction value of 5705 ± 20 cm(-1) of Barber et al. ( Mon. Not. R. Astron. Soc. 2014, 437, 1828-1835 ). The discrepancy was analyzed by the ATcT approach, using several distinct steps, which (a) independently corroborated the current single-reference HEAT-456QP result, (b) independently found that the recent multireference-based value is highly unlikely to be correct within its originally stated uncertainty, and (c) produced a recommended value of 5212 ± 30 cm(-1) for the HCN → HNC isomerization energy at 0 K, based on all currently available knowledge. The ATcT standard enthalpies of formation at 0 and 298 K for HCN, HNC, and their cations and anions are also presented.

Profiling the binding motif between Be and Mg in the ground state via a single-reference coupled cluster method

We present a study on the performance of our iterative triples correction for the coupled cluster singles and doubles excitations (CCSDT-1a+d) method for computation of potential energy surface (PES), spectroscopic constants, and vibrational spectrum for the ground state (X1Σ+) BeMg, where the ostensible inadequacy of the CCSD and CCSD(T) methods is quite expected. We compare our results with those obtained using state-of-the-art multireference configuration interaction (MRCI) investigations reported earlier by Kerkines and Nicolaides. Our estimated dissociation energy (417.37 cm−1), equilibrium distance (3.285 Å), and vibrational frequency (82.32 cm−1) are in good agreement with recent results of advanced MRCI calculations for X1Σ+ BeMg PES, which exhibits a shallow well of 469.4 cm−1 with a minimum at 3.241 Å and a harmonic vibrational frequency of 85.7 cm−1. Very weakly bound nature of X1Σ+ BeMg is clearly reflected from these values. In accord with MRCI studies, a comparison of BeMg with iso-valence weakly bound ground-state species, Be2 and Mg2, suggests that its characteristics do not exhibit any resemblance to Be2 rather, it shows a close kinship to Mg2. The agreement of our derived vibrational levels with those obtained via the high-level MRCI calculations is very encouraging reflecting the potential of the suitably modified single-reference coupled cluster (SRCC) method, CCSDT-1a+d as a tool for the study of multireference van der Waals systems.

Towards an understanding of the singlet-triplet splittings in conjugated hydrocarbons: azulene investigated by anion photoelectron spectroscopy and theoretical calculations.

In this work, the relative energetics and the character of singlet and triplet states of azulene have been investigated by photodetachment photoelectron spectroscopy (PD-PES) at radical anions and high-level multi-reference configuration interaction (MRCI) theory. Anion-to neutral electronic transition energies and singlet-triplet splittings have been measured directly by PD-PES and have been assigned with the help of the calculated transition energies and simulated Franck-Condon spectra. The good agreement between experiment and theory justifies the conclusion that the geometrical structure of the azulene radical anion lies in-between the geometries of the neutral ground state and those of the excited states. By the detour via the radical anion, we observed the T1 and S1 origins of azulene in the same spectrum for the first time and were able to resolve their small splitting of 49 meV. This small singlet-triplet splitting was explained before by the small overlap of the electron densities in the highest occupied and lowest unoccupied orbital. In this work, this concept is generalized and applied to the higher excited electronic states of azulene as well as to its alternant aromatic isomer naphthalene. The results confirm our hypothesis that the energetic splittings of corresponding singlet-triplet pairs can be related to the degree to which the electron density distributions of the involved half-occupied orbitals overlap.

Configuration interaction study on electronic structures and transitional properties of excited states of GeO molecule

GeO molecule, which plays an important role in fabricating integrated optics and semiconductor components, has received much attention. However, the electronic state density of the molecule is very large, and the electric structures and transitional properties of the molecule have not been well investigated. In this work, the 18 Λ -S states correlated to the lowest dissociation limit (Ge(3Pg)+O(3Pg)) are calculated by a complete active space self-consistent field (CASSCF) method, through using the previous Hatree-Fock molecular orbitals as the starting orbitals. Furthermore, we take all configurations in the configuration interaction expansions of the CASSCF wave functions as a reference configuration, and calculate the energies of the 18Λ-S states by a high-level multireference configuration interaction method. The core-valence correlation effect of the 3d orbit of Ge atom, the scalar relativistic effect, and the Davidson correction are taken into consideration in the calculations. On the basis of the calculated potential energy curves of the bound and quasibound electronic states, the spectroscopic constants (Re, Te, ωe, ωeχe, and Be), vibrational energy levels, vibrational wave functions, and Franck-Condon factors (FCFs) are obtained by solving the radical Schrödinger equation. The computed spectroscopic constants of these electronic states are well consistent with previously available experimental results. We calculate the electric dipole moments of electronic states with different bound lengths, and analyze the influences of the variation of electron configuration on the electric dipole moment. The calculated potential energy curves indicate that the adiabatic transition energies of A1Π, 11Σ-, D1Δ, a3Π, a’3Σ+, d3Δ, and e3Σ- sates are located in a range of 26000-37000 cm-1, and the spin-orbit coupling of the states can obviously affect the corresponding vibrational wave functions. With the help of calculated spin-orbit coupling matrix elements, the perturbations of the nearby states to a3Π and A1Π are discussed in detail. Our calculation results indicate that the spin-orbit coupling between A1Π and e3Σ- states has an evident perturbation on the v’> 4 vibrational levels of A1Π, and the v’≥ 0 vibrational levels of a3Π state are perturbed by the crossing states a’3Σ+, d3Δ, e3Σ-, 11Σ-, and D1Δ. On the basis of computed transition dipole moments and FCFs of A1Π-X1Σ+ and A’1Σ+-X1Σ+ transitions, the radiative lifetimes of the six lowest vibrational levels of the two singlet excited states are computed.

Spectroscopic properties and radiative lifetimes of SiTe: A high-level multireference configuration interaction investigation

The 18 Λ—S states correlated to the lowest dissociation limit of SiTe were calculated by using a high-level multireference configuration interaction (MRCI) method, including scalar relativistic and spin—orbit coupling effects. Based on the calculated potential energy curves, the spectroscopic constants of bound states were determined, which are well consistent with previous experimental results. The spin—orbit matrix elements between the Λ—S states were computed, which lead to an in-depth understanding of perturbations on the electronic state a3Π Finally, the transition dipole moments of allowed transitions A1Π—X1Σ+, E1Σ+—X1Σ+, a3Π—d3Δ, a3Π—a′3Σ+, a3Π—e3Σ—, and the radiative lifetimes of A1Π, E1Σ+, and a3Π were evaluated.