Time-dependent Current Density Functional Theory Research Articles

Linear Response of Current-Dependent Density Functional Approximations in Magnetic Fields.

This Letter outlines the steps and derivations that are necessary to apply density functional approximations that depend on the current and kinetic energy density rigorously within the framework of linear-response methods, including adiabatic time-dependent current density functional theory. This includes systems with a non-zero current density in the ground state. The necessary exchange-correlation kernel for these density functional approximations is derived, and the matrix elements are given explicitly. Due to the gauge variance of the kinetic energy density in an external magnetic field, having access to the proper current-dependent exchange-correlation kernel is necessary to recover gauge invariance for excited states. As a proof of principle application, the excited states of two small molecules in strong external magnetic fields are calculated using linear-response time-dependent current density functional theory. Finally, the implications of the derived current density-dependent exchange-correlation kernel for systems with strong spin-orbit coupling are discussed.

Modeling Ultrafast Electron Dynamics in Strong Magnetic Fields Using Real-Time Time-Dependent Electronic Structure Methods.

An implementation of real-time time-dependent Hartree–Fock (RT-TDHF) and current density functional theory (RT-TDCDFT) for molecules in strong uniform magnetic fields is presented. In contrast to earlier implementations, the present work enables the use of the RT-TDCDFT formalism, which explicitly includes field-dependent terms in the exchange–correlation functional. A range of current-dependent exchange–correlation functionals based on the TPSS functional are considered, including a range-separated variant, which is particularly suitable for application to excited state calculations. The performance of a wide range of propagator algorithms for real-time methods is investigated in this context. A recently proposed molecular orbital pair decomposition analysis allows for assignment of electronic transitions, providing detailed information about which molecular orbitals are involved in each excitation. The application of these methods is demonstrated for the electronic absorption spectra of N2 and H2O both in the absence and in the presence of a magnetic field. The dependence of electronic spectra on the magnetic field strength and its orientation relative to the molecule is studied. The complex evolution of the absorption spectra with magnetic field is rationalized using the molecular orbital pair decomposition analysis, which provides crucial insight in strong fields where the spectra are radically different from their zero-field counterparts.

On the inclusion of dissipation on top of mean-field approaches

We discuss extensions of time-dependent mean-field theories such as time-dependent local density approximation (TDLDA) in order to include incoherent dynamical correlations, which are known to play a key role in far-off equilibrium dynamics. We focus here on the case of irradiation dynamics in clusters and molecules. The field, still largely unexplored, requires quantum approaches which represents a major formal and computational effort. We present several approaches we have investigated to address such an issue. We start with time-dependent current-density functional theory (TDCDFT), known to provide damping in the linear regime and explore its capability far-off equilibrium. We observe difficulties with the scaling of relaxation times with deposited energy. We next briefly discuss semi-classical approaches which deliver kinetic equations applicable at sufficiently large excitation energies. We then consider a first quantum kinetic equation at the level of a simplified, though rather elaborate in its content, relaxation time approximation (RTA). Thanks to its sophistication, the method allows us to address numerous realistic irradiation scenarios beyond the usual domain of reliability of such theories. We demonstrate in particular the key role played by dense spectral regions in the impact of dissipation in the response of the irradiated system. RTA nevertheless remains a phenomenological approach which calls for more fundamental descriptions. This is achieved by a stochastic extension of mean field theory, coined stochastic time dependent Hartree–Fock (STDHF), which provides an ensemble description of far-off equilibrium dynamics. The method is equivalent to a quantum kinetic equation complemented by a stochastic collision term. STDHF clearly leads to proper thermalization behaviors in 1D test systems considered here. It remains limited by its ensemble nature which requires possibly huge ensembles to properly sample small transition rates. An alternative approach, coined average STDHF (ASTDHF), consists in overlooking mean field fluctuations of STDHF. ASTDHF provides a robust tool, properly matching STDHF when possible and allowing extension to realistic dynamical scenarios in full 3D. It can also be used in open systems to explore, as done in RTA, the competition between ionization and dissipation.

Optical properties from time-dependent current-density-functional theory: the case of the alkali metals Na, K, Rb, and Cs

We present the optical conductivity as well as the electron-energy loss spectra of the alkali metals Na, K, Rb, and Cs calculated within time-dependent current-density functional theory. Our ab initio formulation describes from first principles both the Drude-tail and the interband absorption of these metals as well as the most dominant relativistic effects. We show that by using a recently derived current functional [Berger, Phys. Rev. Lett. 115, 137402 (2015)] we obtain an overall good agreement with experiment at a computational cost that is equivalent to the random-phase approximation. We also highlight the importance of the choice of the exchange-correlation potential of the ground state.

Dynamics of observables and exactly solvable quantum problems: Using time-dependent density-functional theory to control quantum systems

We use analytic (current) density-potential maps of time-dependent (current) density functional theory (TD(C)DFT) to inverse engineer analytically solvable time-dependent quantum problems. In this approach the driving potential (the control signal) and the corresponding solution of the Schr\"odinger equation are parametrized analytically in terms of the basic TD(C)DFT observables. We describe the general reconstruction strategy and illustrate it with a number of explicit examples. First we consider the real space one-particle dynamics driven by a time-dependent electromagnetic field and recover, from the general TDDFT reconstruction formulas, the known exact solution for a driven oscillator with a time-dependent frequency. Then we use analytic maps of the lattice TD(C)DFT to control quantum dynamics in a discrete space. As a first example we construct a time-dependent potential which generates prescribed dynamics on a tight-binding chain. Then our method is applied to the dynamics of spin-1/2 driven by a time dependent magnetic field. We design an analytic control pulse that transfers the system from the ground to excited state and vice versa. This pulse generates the spin flip thus operating as a quantum NOT gate.

Multiscale modeling and computation of optically manipulated nano devices

We present a multiscale modeling and computational scheme for optical-mechanical responses of nanostructures. The multi-physical nature of the problem is a result of the interaction between the electromagnetic (EM) field, the molecular motion, and the electronic excitation. To balance accuracy and complexity, we adopt the semi-classical approach that the EM field is described classically by the Maxwell equations, and the charged particles follow the Schrödinger equations quantum mechanically. To overcome the numerical challenge of solving the high dimensional multi-component many-body Schrödinger equations, we further simplify the model with the Ehrenfest molecular dynamics to determine the motion of the nuclei, and use the Time-Dependent Current Density Functional Theory (TD-CDFT) to calculate the excitation of the electrons. This leads to a system of coupled equations that computes the electromagnetic field, the nuclear positions, and the electronic current and charge densities simultaneously. In the regime of linear responses, the resonant frequencies initiating the out-of-equilibrium optical-mechanical responses can be formulated as an eigenvalue problem. A self-consistent multiscale method is designed to deal with the well separated space scales. The isomerization of azobenzene is presented as a numerical example.

Towards time-dependent current-density-functional theory in the non-linear regime.

Time-Dependent Density-Functional Theory (TDDFT) is a well-established theoretical approach to describe and understand irradiation processes in clusters and molecules. However, within the so-called adiabatic local density approximation (ALDA) to the exchange-correlation (xc) potential, TDDFT can show insufficiencies, particularly in violently dynamical processes. This is because within ALDA the xc potential is instantaneous and is a local functional of the density, which means that this approximation neglects memory effects and long-range effects. A way to go beyond ALDA is to use Time-Dependent Current-Density-Functional Theory (TDCDFT), in which the basic quantity is the current density rather than the density as in TDDFT. This has been shown to offer an adequate account of dissipation in the linear domain when the Vignale-Kohn (VK) functional is used. Here, we go beyond the linear regime and we explore this formulation in the time domain. In this case, the equations become very involved making the computation out of reach; we hence propose an approximation to the VK functional which allows us to calculate the dynamics in real time and at the same time to keep most of the physics described by the VK functional. We apply this formulation to the calculation of the time-dependent dipole moment of Ca, Mg and Na2. Our results show trends similar to what was previously observed in model systems or within linear response. In the non-linear domain, our results show that relaxation times do not decrease with increasing deposited excitation energy, which sets some limitations to the practical use of TDCDFT in such a domain of excitations.

Dynamical many-body corrections to the residual resistivity of metals

The authors study dynamical corrections to the residual resistivity of metals at zero temperature using a new form of the time-dependent many-body exchange-correlation potential derived from the time-dependent current density functional theory. Unexpectedly, they find significant dynamical corrections even in simple metals, and a surprising role played by the nondissipative electronic shear modulus in shaping the electric resistivity.

Current density partitioning in time-dependent current density functional theory.

We adapt time-dependent current density functional theory to allow for a fragment-based solution of the many-electron problem of molecules in the presence of time-dependent electric and magnetic fields. Regarding a molecule as a set of non-interacting subsystems that individually evolve under the influence of an auxiliary external electromagnetic vector-scalar potential pair, the partition 4-potential, we show that there are one-to-one mappings between this auxiliary potential, a sharply-defined set of fragment current densities, and the total current density of the system. The partition electromagnetic (EM) 4-potential is expressed in terms of the real EM 4-potential of the system and a gluing EM 4-potential that accounts for exchange-correlation effects and mutual interaction forces between fragments that are required to yield the correct electron dynamics. We prove the zero-force theorem for the fragmented system, establish a variational formulation in terms of action functionals, and provide a simple illustration for a charged particle in a ring.

Ultra-nonlocality in density functional theory for photo-emission spectroscopy.

We derive an exact expression for the photocurrent of photo-emission spectroscopy using time-dependent current density functional theory (TDCDFT). This expression is given as an integral over the Kohn-Sham spectral function renormalized by effective potentials that depend on the exchange-correlation kernel of current density functional theory. We analyze in detail the physical content of this expression by making a connection between the density-functional expression and the diagrammatic expansion of the photocurrent within many-body perturbation theory. We further demonstrate that the density functional expression does not provide us with information on the kinetic energy distribution of the photo-electrons. Such information can, in principle, be obtained from TDCDFT by exactly modeling the experiment in which the photocurrent is split into energy contributions by means of an external electromagnetic field outside the sample, as is done in standard detectors. We find, however, that this procedure produces very nonlocal correlations between the exchange-correlation fields in the sample and the detector.

Time-dependent density functional theory for many-electron systems interacting with cavity photons.

Time-dependent (current) density functional theory for many-electron systems strongly coupled to quantized electromagnetic modes of a microcavity is proposed. It is shown that the electron-photon wave function is a unique functional of the electronic (current) density and the expectation values of photonic coordinates. The Kohn-Sham system is constructed, which allows us to calculate the above basic variables by solving self-consistent equations for noninteracting particles. We suggest possible approximations for the exchange-correlation potentials and discuss implications of this approach for the theory of open quantum systems. In particular we show that it naturally leads to time-dependent density functional theory for systems coupled to the Caldeira-Leggett bath.

Foundations of stochastic time-dependent current-density functional theory for open quantum systems: Potential pitfalls and rigorous results

We clarify some misunderstandings on the time-dependent current density functional theory for open quantum systems we have recently introduced [M. Di Ventra and R. D'Agosta, Phys. Rev. Lett. {\bf 98}, 226403 (2007)]. We also show that some of the recent formulations attempting to improve on this theory suffer from some inconsistencies, especially in establishing the mapping between the external potential and the quantities of interest. We offer a general argument about this mapping, showing that it must fulfill certain "dimensionality" requirements.

A Multiscale Method for Optical Responses of Nanostructures

We introduce a new framework for the multiphysical modeling and multiscale computation of nano-optical responses. The semiclassical theory treats the evolution of the electromagnetic field and the motion of the charged particles self-consistently by coupling Maxwell equations with quantum mechanics. To overcome the numerical challenge of solving the high-dimensional many-body Schrodinger equations involved, we adopt the time-dependent current density functional theory. In the regime of linear responses, this leads to a linear system of equations determining the electromagnetic field as well as the current and electron densities simultaneously. A self-consistent multiscale method is proposed to deal with the well-separated space scales. Numerical examples are presented to illustrate the resonant condition.

A unified approach to the density-potential mapping in a family of time-dependent density functional theories

It is shown that the density-potential mapping and the V -representability problems in the time-dependent current density functional theory (TDCDFT) are reduced to the solution of a certain many-body nonlinear Schrödinger equation (NLSE). The derived NLSE for TDCDFT links the earlier NLSE-based formulations of the time-dependent deformation functional theory (TDDefFT) and the time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT). We establish a close relation between the nonlinear many-body problems which control the existence of TDCDFT, TDDFT, and TDDefFT, and thus develop a unified point of view on the whole family of the TDDFT-type theories.

Design of effective kernels for spectroscopy and molecular transport: Time-dependent current–density-functional theory

Time-dependent current-density-functional theory (TDCDFT) provides an, in principle, exact scheme to calculate efficiently response functions for a very broad range of applications. However, the lack of approximations valid for a range of parameters met in experimental conditions has so far delayed its extensive use in inhomogeneous systems. On the other side, in many-body perturbation theory accurate approximations are available, but at a price of a higher computational cost. In the present work, the possibility of combining the advantages of both approaches is exploited. In this way, an exact equation for the exchange-correlation kernel of TDCDFT is obtained, which opens the way for a systematic improvement of the approximations adopted in practical applications. Finally, an approximate kernel for an efficient calculation of spectra of solids and molecular conductances is suggested and its validity is discussed.

Viscous corrections to the resistance of nanojunctions: A dispersion relation approach

It is well known that the viscosity of a homogeneous electron liquid diverges in the limits of zero frequency and zero temperature. A nanojunction breaks translational invariance and necessarily cuts off this divergence. However, the estimate of the ensuing viscosity is far from trivial. Here, we propose an approach based on a Kramers-Kr\"onig dispersion relation, which connects the zero-frequency viscosity, $\eta(0)$, to the high-frequency shear modulus, $\mu_{\infty}$, of the electron liquid via $\eta(0) =\mu_{\infty} \tau$, with $\tau$ the junction-specific momentum relaxation time. By making use of a simple formula derived from time-dependent current-density functional theory we then estimate the many-body contributions to the resistance for an integrable junction potential and find that these viscous effects may be much larger than previously suggested for junctions of low conductance.

Time-dependent current density functional theory on a lattice

A rigorous formulation of time-dependent current density functional theory (TDCDFT) on a lattice is presented. The density-to-potential mapping and the ${\cal V}$-representability problems are reduced to a solution of a certain nonlinear lattice Schr\"odinger equation, to which the standard existence and uniqueness results for nonliner differential equations are applicable. For two versions of the lattice TDCDFT we prove that any continuous in time current density is locally ${\cal V}$-representable (both interacting and noninteracting), provided in the initial state the local kinetic energy is nonzero everywhere. In most cases of physical interest the ${\cal V}$-representability should also hold globally in time. These results put the application of TDCDFT to any lattice model on a firm ground, and open a way for studying exact properties of exchange correlation potentials.

Communications: On the relation between the scalar and tensor exchange-correlation kernels of the time-dependent density-functional theory

The scalar f(xc) and tensor f(xc) exchange-correlation (xc) kernels are key ingredients of the time-dependent density functional theory and the time-dependent current density functional theory, respectively. We derive a comparatively simple relation between these two kernels under the assumption that the dynamic xc can be considered "weak." A calculation of the frequency-dependent dielectric function of silicon using this relation in conjunction with Vignale-Kohn f(xc) demonstrates a potential of our method to account for the dynamic many-body effects within the rigorous scheme of time-dependent density functional theory. Our formula provides a bridge between the scalar f(xc), which directly enters many applications, and the tensor f(xc) which, due to its locality in space, is much easier to approximate.

Time-dependent current density functional theory via time-dependent deformation functional theory: a constrained search formulation in the time domain

The logical structure and basic theorems of time-dependent current density functional theory (TDCDFT) are analyzed and reconsidered from the point of view of recently proposed time-dependent deformation functional theory (TDDefFT). It is shown that the formalism of TDDefFT allows to avoid a traditional external potential-to-density/current mapping. Instead the theory is formulated in a form similar to the constrained search procedure in the ground state DFT. Within this formulation of TDCDFT all basic functionals appear from the solution of a constrained universal many-body problem in a comoving reference frame, which is equivalent to finding a conditional extremum of a certain universal action functional. As a result the physical origin of the universal functionals entering the theory, as well as their proper causal structure become obvious. In particular, this leaves no room for any doubt concerning the predictive power of the theory.

Inhomogeneous STLS theory and TDCDFT

We consider the inhomogeneous Singwi-Tosi-Land-Sjolander theory (ISTLS) of Dobson, Wang and Gould (Phys. Rev. B, 2002, 66, 081108(R)), and possible generalizations, in the context of time dependent current density functional theory (TDCDFT) and its tensor exchange correlation kernel fxc. We show that ISTLS corresponds to an fxc that is nonlocal in space but has only a trivial frequency dependence, and only a very simple tensorial structure. We propose approaches that may obtain more realistic structure while retaining the positive ISTLS features, namely that strong spatial inhomogeneity is allowed, with a kernel that contains physics specific to the inhomogeneous system under study, rather than being based on uniform-gas data.