Fock matrix semi-empirical methods

Two philosophies have emerged in connection with the various semi-empirical methods (for a review, see Klopman and Evans, 1976). In both cases certain matrix elements are assumed to be negligible, others are computed, and others are chosen according to some criteria. According to one philosophy, the chosen parameters should lead to agreement with exact Hartree-Fock theory. Then, if desired, correlation can be added in some form. Methods called CNDO and INDO are examples of this. A more recent development is the partial retention of diatomic differential overlap (PRDDO) method (see Estreicher et al., 1989). 

As presented, the Roothaan SCF process is carried out in a fully ab initio manner in that all one- and two-electron integrals are computed in terms of the specified basis set no experimental data or other input is employed. As described in Appendix F, it is possible to introduce approximations to the coulomb and exchange integrals entering into the Fock matrix elements that permit many of the requisite F, v elements to be evaluated in terms of experimental data or in terms of a small set of fundamental orbital-level coulomb interaction integrals that can be computed in an ab initio manner. This approach forms the basis of so-called semi-empirical methods. Appendix F provides the reader with a brief introduction to such approaches to the electronic structure problem and deals in some detail with the well known Htickel and CNDO- level approximations. 

We have also examined here the use of approximate solutions of the coupled perturbed Hartree-Fock equations for estimating the Hessian matrix. This Hessian appears to be more accurate than any updated Hessian we have been able to generate during the normal course of an optimization (usually the structure has optimized to within the specified tolerance before the Hessian is very accurate). For semi-empirical methods the use of this approximation in a Newton-like algorithm for minima appears optimal as demonstrated in Table 17. In ab-initio methods searching for minima, the BFGS procedure we describe is the best compromise. 

In ab initio calculations aU elements of the Fock matrix are calculated using Equation (2J226), irrespective of whether the basis fimctions (j> , (j>x and 4> are on the same atom, on atoms that are bonded or on atoms that are not formally bonded. To discuss the semi-empirical methods it is useful to consider the Fock matrix elements in three groups (the diagonal... 

A feature common to the semi-empirical methods is that the overlap matrix, S (in Equation (2.225)), is set equal to the identity matrix I. Thus all diagonal elements of the overlap matrix are equal to 1 and all off-diagonal elements are zero. Some of the off-diagonal elements would naturally be zero due to the use of orthogonal basis sets on each atom, but in addition the elements that correspond to the overlap between two atomic orbitals on different atoms are also set to zero. The main implication of this is that the Roothaan-Hall equations are simplified FC = SCE becomes FC = CE and so is immediately in standard matrix form. It is important to note that setting S equal to the identity matrix does not mean that aU overlap integrals are set to zero in the calculation of Fock matrix elements. Indeed, it is important specifically to include some of the overlaps in even the simplest of the semi-empirical models. 

The current practical limit for ab-initio codes is around 50 first row atoms. With new algorithms and direct methods this should be extended to 100-200, or possibly more, first row atoms within the next few years. At the present time, the study of larger molecules requires some simplifications to be made. These can take the form of approximations to the Fock Matrix using simple mathematical descriptions of the physics or, alternatively, experimental data can be used to calibrate a parameterised form of the Fock matrix. This is the basis of the widely used MNDO, MINDO/3 and AMI semi-empirical methods (Ref 15). 

Unlike the Hiickel and extended Hiickel methods, the semi-empirical approaches that explicitly treat electron-electron interactions give rise to Fock matrix element... 

---