The theory of the contracted Schr\"odinger equation (CSE) [D. A. Mazziotti, Phys. Rev. A 57, 4219 (1998)] is connected with traditional methods of electronic structure including configuration-interaction (CI) and coupled-cluster (CC) theory. We derive a transition contracted Schr\"odinger equation (TCSE) which depends on the wave function $\ensuremath{\psi}$ as well as another N-particle function $\ensuremath{\chi}$ through the two-, three-, and four-particle reduced transition matrices (RTMs). By reconstructing the 3 and 4 RTMs approximately from the 2-RTM, the indeterminacy of the equation may be removed. The choice of the reconstruction and the function $\ensuremath{\chi}$ determines whether one obtains the CI, CC, or CSE theory. Through cumulant theory and Grassmann algebra we derive reconstruction formulas for the 3- and 4-RTMs which generalize both the reduced density matrix (RDM) cumulant expansions as well as the exponential ansatz for the CC wave function. This produces a fresh approach to CC theory through RTMs. Two theoretical differences between the CC and the CSE theories are established for energetically nondegenerate states: (i) while the CSE has a single exact solution when the 3- and 4-RDMs are N-representable, the CC equations with N-representable 3- and 4-RTMs have a family of solutions. Thus, N-representability conditions offer a medium for improving the CSE solution but not the CC solution, and (ii) while the 2-RDM for an electronic Hamiltonian reconstructs to unique N-representable 3- and 4-RDMs, the 2-RTM builds to a family of N-representable 3- and 4-RTMs. Hence, renormalized reconstructions beyond the cumulant expansion may be developed for the 2-RDM but not for the 2-RTM without explicit use of the Hamiltonian. In the applications we implement our recently developed reconstruction formula for the 3-RDM which extends beyond the cumulant approximation. Calculations compare the 3-RDM and 3-RTM reconstructions for the molecules LiH,
BeH2, BH3, and
H2O as well as for systems with more general two-particle interactions. The TCSE offers a unified approach to electronic structure.
Abstract The use of cumulant expansions for the approximation of reduced density matrices (RDMs) is reviewed. It is pointed out that the oft‐cited theorems of Nakatsuji and Rosina are insufficient to guarantee either N‐representability or that an N‐representable RDM has a unique antecedent wave function. Approximations involved in Mazziotti's recently proposed “formal solution for reconstruction” are identified. The behavior of his scheme, and of an older one in which all cumulants beyond the second are neglected, are illustrated by detailed examination of a model problem. The limited experience provided by this example casts doubt as to the probable effectiveness of Mazziotti's reconstruction scheme. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2002