An ab initio path integral Monte Carlo simulation method for molecules and clusters: application to Li_4 and Li_5
A novel method for simulating the statistical mechanics of molecular systems in which both nuclear and electronic degrees of freedom are treated quantum mechanically is presented. The scheme combines a path integral description of the nuclear variables with a first-principles adiabatic description o...
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Zusammenfassung: | A novel method for simulating the statistical mechanics of molecular systems
in which both nuclear and electronic degrees of freedom are treated quantum
mechanically is presented. The scheme combines a path integral description of
the nuclear variables with a first-principles adiabatic description of the
electronic structure. The electronic problem is solved for the ground state
within a density functional approach, with the electronic orbitals expanded in
a localized (Gaussian) basis set. The discretized path integral is computed by
a Metropolis Monte Carlo sampling technique on the normal modes of the
isomorphic ring-polymer. An effective short-time action correct to order
$\tau^4$ is used. The validity and performance of the method are tested in two
small Lithium clusters, namely Li$_4$ and Li$_5^+$. Structural and electronic
properties computed within this fully quantum-mechanical scheme are presented
and compared to those obtained within the classical nuclei approximation.
Quantum delocalization effects are significant but tunneling turns out to be
irrelevant at low temperatures. |
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DOI: | 10.48550/arxiv.physics/9802020 |