Density functional theory shortcomings

It is important to realize that each of the electronic-structure methods discussed above displays certain shortcomings in reproducing the correct band structure of the host crystal and consequently the positions of defect levels. Hartree-Fock methods severely overestimate the semiconductor band gap, sometimes by several electron volts (Estreicher, 1988). In semi-empirical methods, the situation is usually even worse, and the band structure may not be reliably represented (Deak and Snyder, 1987 Besson et al., 1988). Density-functional theory, on the other hand, provides a quite accurate description of the band structure, except for an underestimation of the band gap (by up to 50%). Indeed, density-functional theory predicts conduction bands and hence conduction-band-derived energy levels to be too low. This problem has been studied in great detail, and its origins are well understood (see, e.g., Hybertsen and Louie, 1986). To solve it, however, requires techniques of many-body theory and carrying out a quasi-particle calculation. Such calculational schemes are presently prohibitively complex and too computationally demanding to apply to defect calculations. 

Density functional theory (DFT) methods they share the same shortcoming of Hartree-Fock in that the mono-electronic character and the inadequacy of density functional formulations prevent the description of polarization/disper-sion effects. Adoption of such methods requires a careful choice of the proper density functional [45],... 

Although CP MD are often referred to as first principle or ab initio simulations, this notation is highly questionable. Recent discussions [36,37,38,39] of the underlying density functional theory have concluded that present implementations utilise too many approximations and exhibit severe physical shortcomings like self-interaction... 

It is by now clear that several mechanisms and phases are present in the adsorption process in micropores, due to the interplay between gas-gas and gas-solid interactions, depending on their geometry and size. For this reason all those methods assuming a particular pore-filling mechanism, or adsorption model, should show shortcomings in some regions of the relevant parameters and their predictions should be compared with those based on more fundamental formulations of the adsorption process, like Density Functional Theory (DFT) [13] or Monte Carlo simulation [13,15]. Then, one question that arises is how the adsorption model affects the determination of the MSD ... 

Density Functional theory [4] (DFT) has been widely recognized as a powerful alternative computational method to traditional ab initio schemes, particularly in studies of transition metal complexes where large size of basis set and an explicit treatment of electron correlation are required. The local spin density approximation [5] (LDA) is the most frequently applied approach within the families of approximate DFT schemes. It has been used extensively in studies on solids and molecules. Most properties obtained by the LDA scheme are in better agreement with experiments [4a] than data estimated by ab initio calculations at the Hartree-Fock level. However, bond energies are usually overestimated by LDA. Thus, gradient or nonlocal corrections [6] have been introduced to rectify the shortcomings in the LDA. The non-... 

While the concentration dependence of the experimental fields are reproduced rather well by the theoretical fields (a phase transition to the BCC structure occurs around 65% Fe), the later ones are obviously too small. This finding has been ascribed in the past to a shortcoming of plain spin density functional theory in dealing with the core polarization mechanism (Ebert et al. 1988a). Recent work done on the basis of the optimized potential method (OPM) gave results for the pure elements Fe, Co and Ni in very good agreement with experiment (Akai and Kotani 1999). 

Godby and Pablo Garcia-Gonzalez discuss some of the shortcomings of density functional theory and contrast it with conventional many-body theory. A tutorial, by Fernando Nogueira, Alberto Castro, and Miguel Marques, on practical applications of the formalism to atoms, molecules, and solids closes this book. 

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