What Basis Functions Do

Diffuse functions are those functions with small Gaussian exponents, thus describing the wave function far from the nucleus. It is common to add additional diffuse functions to a basis. The most frequent reason for doing this is to describe orbitals with a large spatial extent, such as the HOMO of an anion or Rydberg orbitals. Adding diffuse functions can also result in a greater tendency to develop basis set superposition error (BSSE), as described later in this chapter. 

Polarization functions are functions of a higher angular momentum than the occupied orbitals, such as adding d orbitals to carbon or / orbitals to iron. These orbitals help the wave function better span the function space. This results in little additional energy, but more accurate geometries and vibrational frequencies. 

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