Topological Definition of Atoms, Bonds, and Structure

Topological Definition of Atoms, Bonds, and Structure.—The definitions of an isolated atom, of an atom in a molecule, of a chemical bond, and of molecular structure derive from the properties of critical points of the charge density. 

Structural Stability and Morphogenesis , Benjamin, Reading, Massachusetts, 1975. 

The nature of the critical point is determined by the sign of the real eigenvalues h. 

The properties of the topologically defined atoms and their temporal changes are identified within a general formulation of subspace quantum mechanics. It is shown that the quantum mechanical partitioning of a system into subsystems coincides with the topological partitioning both are defined by the set of zero flux surfaces in Vp(r). Consequently the total energy and any other property of a molecular system are partitioned into additive atomic contributions. 

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