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The Journal of Chemical Physics

A quasiparticle-based multi-reference coupled-cluster method

Zoltán Rolik, Mihály Kállay

Published Oct 6, 2014• 13 citations
Publisher

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to introduce a quasiparticle-based multi-reference coupled-cluster (MRCC) approach. The quasiparticles are introduced via a unitary transformation which allows us to represent a complete active space reference function and other elements of an orthonormal multi-reference (MR) basis in a determinant-like form. The quasiparticle creation and annihilation operators satisfy the fermion anti-commutation relations. On the basis of these quasiparticles, a generalization of the normal-ordered operator products for the MR case can be introduced as an alternative to the approach of Mukherjee and Kutzelnigg [Recent Prog. Many-Body Theor. 4, 127 (1995); Mukherjee and Kutzelnigg, J. Chem. Phys. 107, 432 (1997)]. Based on the new normal ordering any quasiparticle-based theory can be formulated using the well-known diagram techniques. Beyond the general quasiparticle framework we also present a possible realization of the unitary transformation. The suggested transformation has an exponential form where the parameters, holding exclusively active indices, are defined in a form similar to the wave operator of the unitary coupled-cluster approach. The definition of our quasiparticle-based MRCC approach strictly follows the form of the single-reference coupled-cluster method and retains several of its beneficial properties. Test results for small systems are presented using a pilot implementation of the new approach and compared to those obtained by other MR methods.

DOI
10.1063/1.4896703

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The purpose of this paper is to introduce a quasiparticle-based multi-reference coupled-cluster (MRCC) approach. The quasiparticles are introduced via a unitary transformation which allows us to represent a complete active space reference function and other elements of an orthonormal multi-reference (MR) basis in a determinant-like form. The quasiparticle creation and annihilation operators satisfy the fermion anti-commutation relations. On the basis of these quasiparticles, a generalization of the normal-ordered operator products for the MR case can be introduced as an alternative to the approach of Mukherjee and Kutzelnigg [Recent Prog. Many-Body Theor. 4, 127 (1995); Mukherjee and Kutzelnigg, J. Chem. Phys. 107, 432 (1997)]. Based on the new normal ordering any quasiparticle-based theory can be formulated using the well-known diagram techniques. Beyond the general quasiparticle framework we also present a possible realization of the unitary transformation. The suggested transformation has an exponential form where the parameters, holding exclusively active indices, are defined in a form similar to the wave operator of the unitary coupled-cluster approach. The definition of our quasiparticle-based MRCC approach strictly follows the form of the single-reference coupled-cluster method and retains several of its beneficial properties. Test results for small systems are presented using a pilot implementation of the new approach and compared to those obtained by other MR methods.
The traditional state universal multi-reference coupled cluster (SUMRCC) theory uses the Jeziorski-Monkhorst (JM) based Ansatz of the wave operator: Ω = Σ(μ)Ω(μ)|φ(μ)><φ(μ)|, where Ω(μ) = exp(T(μ)) is the cluster representation of the component of Ω inducing virtual excitations from the model function φ(μ). In the first formulations, φ(μ)s were chosen to be single determinants and T(μ)s were defined in terms of spinorbitals. This leads to spin-contamination for the non-singlet cases. In this paper, we propose and implement an explicitly spin-free realization of the SUMRCC theory. This method uses spin-free unitary generators in defining the cluster operators, {T(μ)}, which even at singles-doubles truncation, generates non-commuting cluster operators. We propose the use of normal-ordered exponential parameterization for Ω:Σ(μ){exp(T(μ))}|φ(μ)><φ(μ)|, where {} denotes the normal ordering with respect to a common closed shell vacuum which makes the "direct term" of the SUMRCC equations terminate at the quartic power. We choose our model functions {φ(μ)} as unitary group adapted (UGA) Gel'fand states which is why we call our theory UGA-SUMRCC. In the spirit of the original SUMRCC, we choose exactly the right number of linearly independent cluster operators in {T(μ)} such that no redundancies in the virtual functions {χ(μ)(l)} are involved. Using example applications for electron detached/attached and h-p excited states relative to a closed shell ground state we discuss how to choose the most compact and non-redundant cluster operators. Although there exists a more elaborate spin-adapted JM-like ansatz of Datta and Mukherjee (known as combinatoric open-shell CC (COS-CC), its working equations are more complex. Results are compared with those from COS-CC, equation of motion coupled cluster methods, restricted open-shell Hartree-Fock coupled cluster, and full configuration interaction. We observe that our results are more accurate with respect to most other theories as a result of the use of the cluster expansion structure for our wave operator. Our results are comparable to those from the more involved COS-CC, indicating that our theory captures the most important aspects of physics with a considerably simpler scheme.
The problem of finding the spectrum of the Fock-space Hamiltonian \ifmmode \hat{H}\else \^{H}\fi{} for a system of many fermions is analyzed. The quasiparticle formalism is employed, with ``holes'' and ``particles'' defined with respect to some N-particle determinantal wave function (the model vacuum). The basic idea behind the proposed approach is to perform a similarity transformation of Hamiltonian \ifmmode \hat{H}\else \^{H}\fi{}, such that the resulting effective Hamiltonian \ifmmode \hat{G}\else \^{G}\fi{} is, unlike \ifmmode \hat{H}\else \^{H}\fi{}, a quasiparticle-number--conserving operator. It is shown that eigenvalues of \ifmmode \hat{G}\else \^{G}\fi{}, corresponding to small numbers of quasiparticles (0,1,2) can be easily calculated. This is equivalent to finding eigenvalues of \ifmmode \hat{H}\else \^{H}\fi{} for certain states of N, N\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}1, and N\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}2 particles. The construction of the operator transforming \ifmmode \hat{H}\else \^{H}\fi{} into \ifmmode \hat{G}\else \^{G}\fi{} (the wave operator) stems from an analysis of the structure of the algebra of linear operators acting in a (finite-dimensional) Fock space. The exponential Ansatz for the wave operator is used, resulting in a generalization of the coupled-cluster (CC) method of Coester [Nucl. Phys. 7, 421 (1958)]. The generalized CC equations determining the wave operator, and equations determining the effective Hamiltonian \ifmmode \hat{G}\else \^{G}\fi{}, are presented in a diagrammatic form. An effort has been made to obtain a concise notation for expressing these equations in an algebraic form. Approximation schemes, necessary for practical applications of the proposed method, are also studied.
In this paper, we develop a theoretical framework that extends single-reference (SR) coupled-cluster (CC) theory beyond its conventional role of describing a single electronic state-typically the lowest-energy state within the symmetry sector defined by the reference determinant. Rather than viewing the SR-CC cluster operator solely as a device for reproducing one target state, we consider more general constructions in which different components of the cluster operator play distinct roles, ranging from encoding states of different symmetry than the reference to enabling SR-CC Ansatz to describe multiple states simultaneously. These developments lead to a new class of SR-CC downfolding formalisms in which the resulting active-space effective Hamiltonians are capable of concurrently representing multiple correlated states nonorthogonal to the reference function. We establish three theorems that formalize this extension and demonstrate that standard CC downfolding emerges as a special case of the proposed framework. Finally, we introduce a Hermitian variant based on a unitary CC representation, which enables realistic simulations of ground and excited states while reducing the quantum resources required.
In this paper, we develop a theoretical framework that extends single-reference (SR) coupled-cluster (CC) theory beyond its conventional role of describing a single electronic state-typically the lowest-energy state within the symmetry sector defined by the reference determinant. Rather than viewing the SR-CC cluster operator solely as a device for reproducing one target state, we consider more general constructions in which different components of the cluster operator play distinct roles, ranging from encoding states of different symmetry than the reference to enabling the SR-CC ansatz to describe multiple states simultaneously. These developments lead to a new class of SR-CC downfolding formalisms in which the resulting active-space effective Hamiltonians are capable of concurrently representing multiple correlated states non-orthogonal to the reference function. We establish three theorems that formalize this extension and demonstrate that standard CC downfolding emerges as a special case of the proposed framework. Finally, we introduce a Hermitian variant based on a unitary CC representation, which enables realistic simulations of ground and excited states while reducing the quantum resources required.
The quasiparticle Fock-space coupled-cluster (QFSCC) theory, introduced by us in 1985, is described. This is a theory of many-electron systems which uses the second-quantisation formalism based on the algebraic approximation: one chooses a finite spin-orbital basis, and builds a fermionic Fock space to represent all possible antisymmetric electronic states of a given system. The algebraic machinery is provided by the algebra of linear operators acting in the Fock space, generated by the fermion (creation and annihilation) operators. The Fock-space Hamiltonian operator then determines the system's stationary states and their energies. Within the QFSCC theory, the Fock space and its operator algebra are subject to a unitary transformation which effectively changes electrons into some fermionic quasiparticles. A generalisation of the coupled-cluster method is achieved by enforcing the principle of quasiparticle-number conservation. The emerging quasiparticle model of many-electron systems offers useful physical insights and computational effectiveness. The QFSCC theory requires a substantial reformulation of the traditional second-quantisation language, by making full use of the algebraic properties of the Fock space and its operator algebra. In particular, the role of operators not conserving the number of electrons (or quasiparticles) is identified.
Normal ordered exponential operators have been used extensively in open-shell formulations of coupled cluster theory. The inverse of such an operator is known to exist, but a closed form explicit expression for the inverse is not available. We will address the evaluation of many-body similarity transformations generated by normal ordered exponential transformation operators without explicit use of the inverse. The similarity transform can be obtained as the solution of a linear system of equations that can be solved trivially using backward substitution. In addition a closed form diagrammatic expression for the similarity transformed operator is presented. Using the many-body similarity transformation strategy a simple and more general formulation of Fock space coupled cluster theory is presented which is akin in spirit to the formulation by Stolarczyk and Monkhorst [Phys. Rev. A 32, 725, 743 (1985); 37, 1908, 1926 (1988)], but which on the other hand is completely equivalent to the conventional wave operator formulation of Fock space coupled cluster theory (under suitable conditions). Other possible applications of the many-body similarity transformation will be briefly discussed.