Orthogonal Geminals Research Articles

A geminal theory based on the generalized electron pairing.

As in the hierarchy of the Hartree-Fock theory in terms of spin symmetry, the extension of spin functions in a theory of two-electron units or geminal, was developed in this study. A trial wave function is constructed as an antisymmetrized product of geminals, in which singlet and triplet two-electron functions are fully mixed. We present a variational optimization method for this generalized pairing wave function in the strong orthogonality condition. The present method is considered an extension of the antisymmetrized product of strongly orthogonal geminals or perfect pairing generalized valence bond methods, maintaining the compactness of the trial wave function. The obtained broken-symmetry solutions were similar to the unrestricted Hartree-Fock wave functions in terms of spin contamination while giving lower energy due to the inclusion of the electron correlation effect in geminals. The degeneracy of the obtained broken-symmetry solutions in the Sz space is reported for the tested four-electron systems.

Density matrices of seniority-zero geminal wavefunctions.

Scalar products and density matrix elements of closed-shell pair geminal wavefunctions are evaluated directly in terms of the pair amplitudes, resulting in an analog of Wick's theorem for fermions or bosons. This expression is, in general, intractable, but it is shown how it becomes feasible in three distinct ways for Richardson-Gaudin (RG) states, the antisymmetrized geminal power, and the antisymmetrized product of strongly orthogonal geminals. Dissociation curves for hydrogen chains are computed with off-shell RG states and the antisymmetrized product of interacting geminals. Both are near exact, suggesting that the incorrect results observed with ground state RG states (a local maximum rather than smooth dissociation) may be fixable using a different RG state.

An efficient implementation of time-dependent linear-response theory for strongly orthogonal geminal wave function models.

We present an implementation of time-dependent linear-response equations for strongly orthogonal geminal wave function models: the time-dependent generalized valence bond (TD-GVB) perfect-pairing theory and the antisymmetrized product of strongly orthogonal geminals. The geminal wave functions are optimized using a restricted-step second-order algorithm suitable for handling many geminals, and the linear-response equations are solved in an efficient way using a direct iterative approach. The wave function optimization algorithm features an original scheme to create initial orbitals for the geminal functions in a black-box fashion. The implementation is employed to examine the accuracy of the geminal linear response for singlet excitation energies of small and medium-sized molecules. In systems dominated by dynamic correlation, geminal models constitute only a minor improvement with respect to time-dependent Hartree-Fock. Compared to the linear-response complete active space self-consistent field, TD-GVB either misses or gives large errors for states dominated by double excitations.

Half-Projection of the Strongly Orthogonal Unrestricted Geminals’ Product Wave Function

Half-projection of a wave function built as a product of singlet-triplet mixed two-electron fragments (geminals) is explored. The condition of strong orthogonality is imposed between geminals, the initial Ansatz accommodating the unrestricted Hartree-Fock (UHF) wave function as a special case. The here explored geminal product is more general than UHF, it allowing for single covalent bond breaking in a spin pure manner. The strong correlation present in two geminals simultaneously is accompanied by spin contamination at the geminal product level. Variation after half-projection leads to an eigenvalue problem of an effective two-electron Hamiltonian, conserving the computational economy of the initial model. While the resulting expressions are shown to violate size consistency, quantification reveals a suppressed error with half-projection as compared to the full spin projected then varied scheme. Spin contamination is also found to be diminished compared to the initial, unprojected wave function.

Multiple bond breaking with APSG-based correlation methods: comparison of two approaches

Antisymmetrized product of strongly orthogonal geminals (APSG) Ansatz is a computationally economic wavefunction class with favorable formal properties. These include extensivity, variational determination of the wavefunction parameters or qualitatively correct description of single bond dissociation. Breaking multiple bonds or non-isolated single bonds results in fragments of incorrect spin state when computed by APSG. This has been identified as a potential problem in APSG-based linearized coupled cluster approach (LCC). An alternative correction scheme based on the extended random phase approximation (ERPA) is investigated from this point of view, in parallel with LCC. The two methods are compared formally. Potential energy curves and atomic spin by APSG-based LCC and ERPA are presented on illustrative examples for multiple bond breaking. Origin of the marked difference between the behavior of LCC and ERPA is explored.

A non-JKL density matrix functional for intergeminal correlation between closed-shell geminals from analysis of natural orbital configuration interaction expansions

Almost all functionals that are currently used in density matrix functional theory have been created by some a priori ansatz that generates approximations to the second-order reduced density matrix (2RDM). In this paper, a more consistent approach is used: we analyze the 2RDMs (in the natural orbital basis) of rather accurate multi-reference configuration interaction expansions for several small molecules (CH4, NH3, H2O, FH, and N2) and use the knowledge gained to generate new functionals. The analysis shows that a geminal-like structure is present in the 2RDMs, even though no geminal theory has been applied from the onset. It is also shown that the leading non-geminal dynamical correlation contributions are generated by a specific set of double excitations. The corresponding determinants give rise to non-JKL (non Coulomb/Exchange like) multipole-multipole dispersive attractive terms between geminals. Due to the proximity of the geminals, these dispersion terms are large and cannot be omitted, proving pure JKL functionals to be essentially deficient. A second correction emerges from the observation that the "normal" geminal-like exchange between geminals breaks down when one breaks multiple bonds. This problem can be fixed by doubling the exchange between bond broken geminals, effectively restoring the often physically correct high-spin configurations on the bond broken fragments. Both of these corrections have been added to the commonly used antisymmetrized product of strongly orthogonal geminals functional. The resulting non-JKL functional Extended Löwdin-Shull Dynamical-Multibond is capable of reproducing complete active space self-consistent field curves, in which one active orbital is used for each valence electron.

Correlation energy from random phase approximations: A reduced density matrices perspective

AbstractRandom phase approximation (RPA) electron correlation methods have gained in popularity in the recent years. A number of RPA correlation energy variants emerged in the Kohn–Sham DFT framework and in the theory of strongly orthogonal geminals. Foundations of most RPA approaches trace back to an exact expression for two‐electron reduced density matrix written in terms of one‐electron density matrix and dynamic one‐electron response functions, originally presented in the seminal paper of McLachlan and Ball (Rev. Mod. Phys. 1964, 36, 844). The aim of this article is to give a pedagogical introduction to possible approaches for describing electron correlation energy based on the McLachlan and Ball formula. The focus of the presentation is to formulate electron‐interaction energy expressions as functions of reduced density matrices. On one hand, it provides a common umbrella for RPA approximations proposed for uncorrelated (Hartree–Fock or Kohn–Sham) as well as partially correlated (strongly orthogonal geminals) references. On the other hand, such presentation may stimulate new developments in density matrix functional theory.

A new wavefunction hierarchy for interacting geminals.

A new truncation scheme for non-orthogonal antisymmetrized products of interacting geminals (APIG) is introduced based on antisymmetrized products of strongly orthogonal geminals (APSG). This wavefunction hierarchy of interacting geminals (IG) allows us to gradually increase the accuracy at which the ground state of a seniority-zero Hamiltonian can be estimated, ranging from APSG up to approximation-free APIG. Mathematical expressions for the lowest four orders (IG0, IG1, IG2, and IG3) are given explicitly and the computational cost to evaluate their transition density matrix is verified to scale only cubically with system size. Exemplary numerical calculations indicate that already a very early truncation level leads to results virtually identical to APIG.

Spin Symmetry and Size Consistency of Strongly Orthogonal Geminals

An overview of geminal-based wavefunctions is given, allowing for singlet-triplet mixing within the two-electron units. Spin contamination of the total wavefunction (obtained as an antisymmetrized product) is restored by spin projection. Full variation after projection is examined for two models. One is the long known spin-projected, extended Hartree-Fock (EHF). The other is a yet unexplored function, termed spin-projected, extended antisymmetrized product of strongly orthogonal geminals (EAPSG). Studies on size consistency are presented for both models. Numerical evaluation of EHF and EAPSG is performed for small test systems (H4 and H8).

SS(p)G: a strongly orthogonal geminal method with relaxed strong orthogonality.

Strong orthogonality is an important constraint placed on geminal wavefunctions in order to make variational minimization tractable. However, strong orthogonality prevents certain, possibly important, excited configurations from contributing to the ground state description of chemical systems. The presented method lifts strong orthogonality constraint from geminal wavefunction by computing a perturbative-like correction to each geminal independently from the corrections to all other geminals. The method is applied to the Singlet-type Strongly orthogonal Geminals variant of the geminal wavefunction. Comparisons of this new SS(p)G method are made to the non-orthogonal AP1roG and the unconstrained Geminal Mean-Field Configuration Interaction method using small atomic and molecular systems. The correction is also compared to Density Matrix Renormalization Group calculations performed on long polyene chains in order to assess its scalability and applicability to large strongly correlated systems. The results of these comparisons demonstrate that although the perturbative correction is small, it may be a necessary first step in the systematic improvement of any strongly orthogonal geminal method.

Intergeminal Correction to the Antisymmetrized Product of Strongly Orthogonal Geminals Derived from the Extended Random Phase Approximation.

We present a correction to the antisymmetrized product of strongly orthogonalized geminals (APSG) approach accounting for intergeminal correlation energy that APSG lacks. The correction is based on the fluctuation dissipation theorem formulated for geminals with transition density matrices obtained from the recently formulated extended random phase approximation. We show that the proposed intergeminal correlation correction greatly improves upon APSG energies by accounting for short- and long-range dynamical correlation. For covalently bonded molecules the potential energy curves are in good agreement with the exact results in the entire range of bond breaking. Also the description of weakly interacting systems is superior to that of APSG. In particular, we show that the proposed intergeminal correlation energy reduces to the correct form of the dispersion energy and asymptotically yields exact interaction energy of the helium dimer.

Local spin from strongly orthogonal geminal wavefunctions

Covalent bond dissociation is examined by three geminal-based theories. One approach (antisymmetrised product of strongly orthogonal geminals) assumes purely singlet geminals, while two others operate with mixtures of singlets and triplets (cf. restricted–unrestricted strongly orthogonal singlet-type geminals, hereafter RUSSG). The RUSSG is the wavefunction in the second method. It is spin contaminated. The spin contamination of RUSSG is projected out in a spin-purification step in the third method. Description of local (i.e. atomic) spin by geminal-based theories is examined. Prototype systems showing the deficiency of singlet coupling are taken as test cases. We find that the local spin of equilibrium structures is correctly described by purely singlet geminals. Triplet geminals are shown to be essential for the description of local spin when dissociating multiple bonds, or switching between two Lewis structures of the same molecule.

Perspectives of APSG‐based multireference perturbation theories

Applicability of antisymmetrized product of strongly orthogonal geminals type wave functions, serving reference states for multireference many‐body perturbation theories, is discussed. Emerging recent interest in this field indicates a promising future of this approach. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

The intrapair electron correlation in natural orbital functional theory

A previously proposed [M. Piris, X. Lopez, F. Ruipérez, J. M. Matxain, and J. M. Ugalde, J. Chem. Phys. 134, 164102 (2011)] formulation of the two-particle cumulant, based on an orbital-pairing scheme, is extended here for including more than two natural orbitals. This new approximation is used to reconstruct the two-particle reduced density matrix (2-RDM) constrained to the D, Q, and G positivity necessary conditions of the N-representable 2-RDM. In this way, we have derived an extended version of the Piris natural orbital functional 5 (PNOF5e). An antisymmetrized product of strongly orthogonal geminals with the expansion coefficients explicitly expressed by the occupation numbers is also used to generate the PNOF5e. The theory is applied to the homolytic dissociation of selected diatomic molecules: H2, LiH, and Li2. The Bader's theory of atoms in molecules is used to analyze the electron density and the presence of non-nuclear maxima in the case of a set of light atomic clusters: Li2, Li3(+), Li4(2+), and H3(+). The improvement of PNOF5e over PNOF5 was observed by visualizing the electron densities.

Assessment of the second-order perturbative corrections to PNOF5

In a recent paper (J. Chem. Phys. 139, 064111, 2013), an antisymmetrised product of strongly orthogonal geminals with the expansion coefficients explicitly expressed by means of the occupation numbers was used to generate the Piris natural orbital functional 5 (PNOF5). This functional describes most of the non-dynamical effects, but also an important part of the intrapair (intrageminal) electron correlation. Second-order corrections to the generating PNOF5 wave function were derived using the multiconfigurational perturbation theory size consistent at the second order (SC2-MCPT) to include the missing interpair (intergeminal) electron correlation. A modified version of the SC2-MCPT involving double excitations only from different geminals was introduced and denoted as PNOF5-PT2. In this paper, the ground-state energies of 36 closed-shell species belonging to the G2/97 test set of molecules are studied by the PNOF5-PT2 and PNOF5-SC2-MCPT methods. The numerical performance of both methods on eight dimers, with different strength of hydrogen bonds, and 13 isogyric reactions is also assessed. The results are in reasonable agreement with those obtained using the complete active space second-order perturbation theory and coupled-cluster method with singles, doubles, and noniterative triples corrections.

Interpair electron correlation by second-order perturbative corrections to PNOF5

An antisymmetrized product of strongly orthogonal geminals with the expansion coefficients explicitly expressed by the occupation numbers is used to generate the Piris natural orbital functional 5 (PNOF5). Second-order corrections to PNOF5 are derived and implemented using the multiconfigurational perturbation theory size consistent at second-order (SC2-MCPT). A modified version of the SC2-MCPT including only doubly excited determinants from different geminals is proposed to describe the dispersion interaction in the helium dimer, and to avoid the breakdown of curves in homolytic dissociations of FH, CO, and N2. Comparisons of calculated properties to experimental data are included to verify the accuracy of the formulation.

Linearized Coupled Cluster Corrections to Antisymmetrized Product of Strongly Orthogonal Geminals: Role of Dispersive Interactions.

A linearized Multireference Coupled Cluster (MR-LCC) theory is formulated based on the Antisymmetrized Product of Strongly Orthogonal Geminals (APSG) reference state. The role of dispersive interbond interactions is discussed. The presented theory has led to qualitatively correct potential curves for the case when both OH bonds dissociate in H2O, a result that cannot be achieved by adding only perturbative corrections to APSG. The potential curve obtained for the He···He problem practically coincides with the full CI (FCI) result, showing the unexpected accuracy of the MR-LCC approach in this case.

Excitation energies from extended random phase approximation employed with approximate one- and two-electron reduced density matrices

Starting from Rowe's equation of motion we derive extended random phase approximation (ERPA) equations for excitation energies. The ERPA matrix elements are expressed in terms of the correlated ground state one- and two-electron reduced density matrices, 1- and 2-RDM, respectively. Three ways of obtaining approximate 2-RDM are considered: linearization of the ERPA equations, obtaining 2-RDM from density matrix functionals, and employing 2-RDM corresponding to an antisymmetrized product of strongly orthogonal geminals (APSG) ansatz. Applying the ERPA equations with the exact 2-RDM to a hydrogen molecule reveals that the resulting (1)Σ(g)(+) excitation energies are not exact. A correction to the ERPA excitation operator involving some double excitations is proposed leading to the ERPA2 approach, which employs the APSG one- and two-electron reduced density matrices. For two-electron systems ERPA2 satisfies a consistency condition and yields exact singlet excitations. It is shown that 2-RDM corresponding to the APSG theory employed in the ERPA2 equations yields excellent singlet excitation energies for Be and LiH systems, and for the N(2) molecule the quality of the potential energy curves is at the coupled cluster singles and doubles level. ERPA2 nearly satisfies the consistency condition for small molecules that partially explains its good performance.

Generalized Møller-Plesset Multiconfiguration Perturbation Theory Applied to an Open-Shell Antisymmetric Product of Strongly Orthogonal Geminals Reference Wave Function.

The antisymmetric product of strongly orthogonal geminals (APSG) method is a wave function theory that can effectively treat the static electron correlation. Recently, we proposed the open-shell APSG method using one-electron orbitals for open-shell parts. In this paper, we have extended the perturbation correction to the open-shell APSG calculations through Møller-Plesset-type multiconfiguration perturbation theory (MP-MCPT). Numerical applications demonstrate that the present open-shell MP-MCPT can reasonably reproduce the dissociation energies or equilibrium distances for open-shell systems.

A size-consistent approach to strongly correlated systems using a generalized antisymmetrized product of nonorthogonal geminals

Inspired by the wavefunction forms of exactly solvable algebraic Hamiltonians, we present several wavefunction ansatze. These wavefunction forms are exact for two-electron systems; they are size consistent; they include the (generalized) antisymmetrized geminal power, the antisymmetrized product of strongly orthogonal geminals, and a Slater determinant wavefunctions as special cases. The number of parameters in these wavefunctions grows only linearly with the size of the system. The parameters in the wavefunctions can be determined by projecting the Schrödinger equation against a test-set of Slater determinants; the resulting set of nonlinear equations is reminiscent of coupled-cluster theory, and can be solved with no greater than O (N5) scaling if all electrons are assumed to be paired, and with O (N6) scaling otherwise. Based on the analogy to coupled-cluster theory, methods for computing spectroscopic properties, molecular forces, and response properties are proposed.