An initio calculations on C2, Si2, and SiC
Full-configuration-interaction (FCI) calculations have been performed for the Z 1Sigma(g)(+), a 3Pi(u), and b 3Sigma(g)(-) states of C2 and the X 3Sigma(g)(-) and A 3Pi(u) states of Si2 in valence double-zeta plus polarization one-particle basis sets. By carrying out the CASSCF multireference singles plus doubles CI (MRCI) procedure in a very large Gaussian basis set and correcting for errors with the FCI, the triplet-triplet separation in C2 is reproduced to within 47/cm. Analogous calculations on Si2 definitively determine the ground state to be 3Sigma(g)(-); the 3Pi(u) state is only 440 + or - 100/cm higher in energy. For the SiC molecule, which has never been observed spectroscopically but is believed to be an important component in carbon stars and to be present in interstellar space, the A 3Sigma(-) state is nearly 4000/cm above the X 3Pi ground state.