Local density approximation clusters

Figure Cl. 1.6. Minimum energy stmctures for neutral Si clusters ( = 12-20) calculated using density functional theory witli tire local density approximation. Cohesive energies per atom are indicated. Note tire two nearly degenerate stmctures of Si g. Ho K M, Shvartsburg A A, Pan B, Lu Z Y, Wang C Z, Wacher J G, Fye J L and Jarrold M F 1998 Nature 392 582, figure 2.

Below is a brief review of the published calculations of yttrium ceramics based on the ECM approach. In studies by Goodman et al. [20] and Kaplan et al. [25,26], the embedded quantum clusters, representing the YBa2Cu307 x ceramics (with different x), were calculated by the discrete variation method in the local density approximation (EDA). Although in these studies many interesting results were obtained, it is necessary to keep in mind that the EDA approach has a restricted applicability to cuprate oxides, e.g. it does not describe correctly the magnetic properties [41] and gives an inadequate description of anisotropic effects [42,43]. Therefore, comparative ab initio calculations in the frame of the Hartree-Fock approximation are desirable. 

There are several problems in the physics of quantum systems whose importance is attested to by the time and effort that have been expended in search of their solutions. A class of such problems involves the treatment of interparticle correlations with the electron gas in an atom, a molecule (cluster) or a solid having attracted significant attention by quantum chemists and solid-state physicists. This has led to the development of a large number of theoretical frameworks with associated computational procedures for the study of this problem. Among others, one can mention the local-density approximation (LDA) to density functional theory (DFT) [1, 2, 3, 4, 5], the various forms of the Hartree-Fock (HF) approximation, 2, 6, 7], the so-called GW approximation, 9, 10], and methods based on the direct study of two-particle quantities[ll, 12, 13], such as two-particle reduced density matrices[14, 15, 16, 17, 18], and the closely related theory of geminals[17, 18, 19, 20], and configuration interactions (Cl s)[21]. These methods, and many of their generalizations and improvements[22, 23, 24] have been discussed in a number of review articles and textbooks[2, 3, 25, 26]. 

Applying ab initio quantum-chemical methods and density functional theory in the local density approximation, different (BH) spherical clusters for n — 12,20,32,42 and 92 have been investigated. Most of the clusters show nearly icosahedral symmetry. The hydrogen atoms are bonded to the spherical surface as prickles. The relative stability of the spheres measured as the binding energy per molecule has been analyzed. All the clusters studied are very stable, and the spherical (BH)32 cluster Seems to be the most stable structure. The effect of the hydrogen atoms is to increase the stability of the bare boron clusters. 

The results reported here use the Xa exchange-correlation function, which has historical interest and can be compared to past calculations. Within the local density approximation, parametrizations that include the correlation effects found in a uniform electron gas often give a better account of spin-dependent properties (19). Since correlation effects generally stabilize low spin species more than high-spin states (20), one would expect correlation effects to increase J over the values reported here, and this was indeed found in our earlier studies of oxidized three-iron clusters (9). Calculations on the reduced species using improved exchange-correlation potentials are in progress. 

It should be noted here that the results of cluster calculations can at present only be qualitative in character. Energies and partial charges are not converged with respect to metal cluster size and level of approximation. The value of the calculations lies more in the opportunity to compare different ions with each other (in a given group) and the relative stability of different adsorption sites. The prediction of absolute adsorption energies is hardly possible. More promising for the future are calculations of adsorbates on periodic surfaces within the framework of the local density approximation of density functional theory (e.g.. Ref. 123). 

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