Density functional theory generalized gradient approximation

Massobrio C, Pasquarello A and Corso A D 1998 Structural and electronic properties of small Cu clusters using generalized-gradient approximations within density functional theory J. Chem. Phys. 109 6626... 

Gritsenko, O. V., Schipper, P. R. T., Baerends, E. J., 1997, Exchange and Correlation Energy in Density Functional Theory. Comparison of Accurate DFT Quantities With Traditional Hartree-Fock Based Ones and Generalized Gradient Approximations for the Molecules Li2, N2, F2 , J. Chem. Phys., 107, 5007. 

If the main limitations of HF theory are overcome by the introduction of electron correlation, those of density functional theory are expanded by the use of more accurate functionals. These functionals, that improve the uniform gas description of the LDA approach, are labeled as non-local or Generalize Gradient Approximation (GGA). 

Density-Functional Theory. Transition metals pose a problem for classical quantum chemical methods like self-consistent field (SCF), perturbation theory, configuration interaction (Cl), and variations on these methods, because of the very large electron correlation. SCF underestimates binding substantially, and post-SCF methods are so expensive for transition metals that one can do a calculation only on models with few atoms. DFT on the other hand is relatively cheap it is about as expensive as SCF. Moreover, with the development of the generalized-gradient approximations it is also reasonably accurate. A large majority of quantum chemical... 

Burke, K., Perdew, J. P., Wang, Y., 1998, Derivation of a Generalized Gradient Approximation The PW91 Density Functional , in Electronic Density Functional Theory. Recent Progress and New Directions, Dobson, J. F., Vignale, G., Das, M. P. (eds.), Plenum Press, New York. 

---