Optimized trial functions for quantum Monte Carlo

Abstract

An algorithm to optimize trial functions for fixed-node quantum Monte Carlo calculations has been developed based on variational random walks. The approach is applied to wave functions that are products of a simple Slater determinant and correlation factor explicitly dependent on interelectronic distance, and is found to provide improved ground-state total energies. A modification of the method for ground-states that makes use of a projection operator technique is shown to make possible the calculation of more accurate excited-state energies. In this optimization method the Young tableaux of the permutation group is used to facilitate the treatment of fermion properties and multiplets. Application to ground states of H2, Li2, H3, H+3, and to the first-excited singlets of H2, H3, and H4 are presented and discussed.