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Title: Large multiconfiguration self-consistent-field wave functions for the ozone molecule

Journal Article · · Journal of Chemical Physics
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.441494· OSTI ID:1076528
 [1];  [1]
  1. Lawrence Berkeley National Lab. (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States); Univ. of California, Berkeley, CA (United States)

The electronic structure of the ozone molecule is of particular interest in light of Goddard’s characterization of the ground state as a biradical. We determine rigorously optimized multiconfiguration self-consistent-field (MCSCF) wave functions of varying size for ozone via newly developed techniques utilizing the unitary group approach. The largest of these a b i n i t i o MCSCF wave functions includes 13413 configurations, i.e., all singly- and doubly excited configurations relative to the two reference configurations required for the biradical description of ozone. The convergence of the MCSCF procedures is discussed, as well as the structure of the MCSCF wave functions, and the effectiveness of different orbital transformations. There is a significant energy difference (0.034 hartrees) between the MCSCF wave functions involving one and two reference configurations. This gives emphasis to the fact that orbital optimization alone cannot compensate for the exclusion from the wave function of important classes of configurations. Lastly, a simple test for the determination of the fraction biradical character of systems such as ozone suggests 23% biradical character for 03 at its equilibrium geometry.

Research Organization:
Lawrence Berkeley National Lab. (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES)
DOE Contract Number:
AC02-05CH11231; W-7405-ENG-48
OSTI ID:
1076528
Report Number(s):
LBL-11507; JCPSA6
Journal Information:
Journal of Chemical Physics, Vol. 74, Issue 6; ISSN 0021-9606
Publisher:
American Institute of Physics (AIP)
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English