Anharmonic Vibrational States of Solids from DFT Calculations. Part II: Implementation of the VSCF and VCI Methods

Abstract

Two methods are implemented in the Crystal program for the calculation of anharmonic vibrational states of solids: the vibrational self-consistent field (VSCF) and the vibrational configuration-interaction (VCI). While the former is a mean-field approach, where each vibrational mode interacts with the average potential of the others, the latter allows for an explicit and complete account of mode-mode correlation. Both schemes are based on the representation of the adiabatic potential energy surface (PES) discussed in Part I, where the PES is expanded in a Taylor's series so as to include up to cubic and quartic terms. The VSCF and VCI methods are formally presented and their numerical parameters discussed. In particular, the convergence of computed anharmonic vibrational states, within the VCI method, is investigated as a function of the truncation of the expansion of the nuclear wave function. The correctness and effectiveness of the implementation is discussed by comparing with available theoretical and experimental data on both molecular and periodic systems. The effect of the adopted basis set and exchange-correlation functional in the description of the PES on computed anharmonic vibrational states is also addressed.