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At least 19 records

Comparison of coupled-cluster methods which include the effects of connected triple excitations

The 'coupled cluster single, double, and triple' (CCSDT) excitation model has been used to ascertain electron correlation energies for 14 different molecules representing a variety of chemical bonds, in conjunction with several methods of this type 'CCSDT-x', which include only an approximate treatment of connected triple excitations; these methods encompass CCSDT-1a, -1b, -2, -3, and -4, as well as the novel CCSD(T). While all methods treat the effects of connected triple excitations iteratively, CCSD(T) approaches then perturbationally. For the 14 molecules considered, the CCSD(T) method's average error relative to CCSDT is substantially lower than any of the CCSDT-x methods.

Scuseria, Gustavo E.↗

Connected triple excitations in coupled-cluster calculations of hyperpolarizabilities: Neon

We have calculated the second hyperpolarizability gamma of neon using the CCSD(T) method. The accuracy of the CCSD(T) approach has been established by explicit comparison with the single, double and triple excitation coupled-cluster (CCSDT) method using extended basis sets that are known to be adequate for the description of gamma. Our best estimate for gamma(sub 0) of 110 +/- 3 a.u. is in good agreement with other recent theoretical values and with Shelton's recent experimental estimate of 108 +/- 2 a.u. Comparison of the MP2 and CCSD(T) hyperpolarizability values indicates that MP2 gives a very good description of the electron correlation contribution to gamma(sub 0). We have combined MP2 frequency-dependent corrections with the CCSD(T) gamma(sub 0) to yield values of gamma(-2 omega;omega,omega,0) and gamma(exp K)(-omega;omega,0,0).

Rice, Julia E.↗

Analytic gradients for coupled-cluster energies that include noniterative connected triple excitations - Application to cis- and trans-HONO

An efficient formulation of the analytic energy gradient for the single and double excitation coupled-cluster method that includes a perturbational estimate of the effects of connected triple excitations is presented. The formulation has a small computational cost, and the algebraic manipulations may be applied generally to the analytic gradient of Moller-Plesset perturbation theory energies. The new formulation has been implemented in an efficient set of programs that utilize highly vectorized algorithms and has been used to investigate the equilibrium structures, harmonic vibrational frequencies, IR intensities, and energy separation of cis- and trans-HONO.

Lee, Timothy J.↗

Comparison of the quadratic configuration interaction and coupled cluster approaches to electron correlation including the effect of triple excitations

The recently proposed quadratic configuration interaction (QCI) method is compared with the more rigorous coupled cluster (CC) approach for a variety of chemical systems. Some of these systems are well represented by a single-determinant reference function and others are not. The finite order singles and doubles correlation energy, the perturbational triples correlation energy, and a recently devised diagnostic for estimating the importance of multireference effects are considered. The spectroscopic constants of CuH, the equilibrium structure of cis-(NO)2 and the binding energies of Be3, Be4, Mg3, and Mg4 were calculated using both approaches. The diagnostic for estimating multireference character clearly demonstrates that the QCI method becomes less satisfactory than the CC approach as non-dynamical correlation becomes more important, in agreement with a perturbational analysis of the two methods and the numerical estimates of the triple excitation energies they yield. The results for CuH show that the differences between the two methods become more apparent as the chemical systems under investigation becomes more multireference in nature and the QCI results consequently become less reliable. Nonetheless, when the system of interest is dominated by a single reference determinant both QCI and CC give very similar results.

Taylor, Peter R.↗

Asymptotic theory of two-dimensional trailing-edge flows

Problems of laminar and turbulent viscous interaction near trailing edges of streamlined bodies are considered. Asymptotic expansions of the Navier-Stokes equations in the limit of large Reynolds numbers are used to describe the local solution near the trailing edge of cusped or nearly cusped airfoils at small angles of attack in compressible flow. A complicated inverse iterative procedure, involving finite-difference solutions of the triple-deck equations coupled with asymptotic solutions of the boundary values, is used to accurately solve the viscous interaction problem. Results are given for the correction to the boundary-layer solution for drag of a finite flat plate at zero angle of attack and for the viscous correction to the lift of an airfoil at incidence. A rational asymptotic theory is developed for treating turbulent interactions near trailing edges and is shown to lead to a multilayer structure of turbulent boundary layers. The flow over most of the boundary layer is described by a Lighthill model of inviscid rotational flow. The main features of the model are discussed and a sample solution for the skin friction is obtained and compared with the data of Schubauer and Klebanoff for a turbulent flow in a moderately large adverse pressure gradient.

Melnik, R. E.↗

A parallel vectorized implementation of triple excitations in CCSD(T) - Application to the binding energies of the AlH3, AlH2F, AlHF2 and AlF3 dimers

An efficient method for various noniterative estimates of connected triple excitations in coupled-cluster theory is outlined and related to a similar expression occurring in Moller-Plesset perturbation theory. The method is highly vectorized and capable of utilizing multiple processors on a shared-memory machine, leading to computational rates in excess of one billion floating-point operations per second on four processors of a CRAY Y-MP. Using the new procedure, the binding energies of the D(2h) diborane-type dimers of AlH3, AlH2F, AlHF2, and AlF3 have been determined to be 32, 40, 20, and 47 kcal/mol, respectively. For Al2F6, the correlation procedure includes 232 molecular orbitals and over 1.5 x 10 to the 6th single and double coupled-cluster amplitudes, effectively accounting for over 2 x 10 to the 9th connected triple excitations.

Rendell, Alistair P.↗

Instantaneous response of elastic thin-walled structures with arbitrary open cross section to rapid heating

A generalized modeling and analysis approach of thermally-induced coupled vibrations of elastic thin-walled configurations with arbitrary open cross sections are presented in conjunction with a unified implicit transient methodology. Limited research appears in literature which takes into account the influence of rapid thermal heating effects on structures involving various forms of coupling. As a consequence, the dynamic response of such thin-walled structures of arbitrary open cross section due to rapid heating are described here. Effects involving triple, double, and no coupling between bending and torsional vibrations caused by sudden heating on these structures are examined. Numerical test cases are presented which describe the influence of sudden heating on elastic thin-walled structures of arbitrary open cross sections.

Chen, Xiaoqin↗

Distinct Purine Distribution in Carbonaceous Chondrites

Carbonaceous chondrite meteorites are known to contain a diverse suite of organic compounds, many of which are essential components of biochemistry. Amino acids, which are the monomers of proteins, have been extensively studied in such meteorites (e.g. Botta and Bada 2002; Pizzarello et aI., 2006). The origin of amino acids in meteorites has been firmly established as extraterrestrial based on their detection typically as racemic mixtures of amino acids, the presence of many non-protein amino acids, and non-terrestrial values for compound-specific deuterium, carbon, and nitrogen isotopic measurements. In contrast to amino acids, nucleobases in meteorites have been far less studied. Nucleobases are substituted one-ring (pyrimidine) or two-ring (purine) nitrogen heterocyclic compounds and serve as the information carriers of nucleic acids and in numerous coenzymes. All of the purines (adenine, guanine, hypoxanthine, and xanthine) and pyrimidines (uracil) previously reported in meteorites are biologically common and could be interpreted as the result of terrestrial contamination (e.g. van del' Velden and Schwartz, 1974.) Unlike other meteoritic organics, there have been no observations of stochastic molecular diversity of purines and pyrimidines in meteorites, which has been a criterion for establishing extraterrestrial origin. Maltins et al. (2008) performed compound-specific stable carbon isotope measurements for uracil and xanthine in the Murchison meteorite. They assigned a non-terrestrial origin for these nucleobases; however, the possibility that interfering indigenous molecules (e.g. carboxylic acids) contributed to the 13C-enriched isotope values for these nucleobases cannot be completely ruled out. Thus, the origin of these meteoritic nucleobases has never been established unequivocally. Here we report on our investigation of extracts of II different carbonaceous chondrites covering various petrographic types (Cl, CM, and CR) and degrees of aqueous alteration (l, 2, and 3) and one ureilite. Analysis via liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray triple-stage mass spectrometry or orbitrap mass spectrometry employed a targeted approach for analysis focused on the five canonical RNA/DNA nucleobases as well as 14 non-canonical pyrimidines and purines, which have bcen observed under plausible prebiotic reactions.

Callahan, Michael P.↗

Concerted hydrogen atom exchange between three HF molecules

We have investigated the termolecular reaction involving concerted hydrogen exchange between three HF molecules, with particular emphasis on the effects of correlation at the various stationary points along the reaction. Using an extended basis, we have located the geometries of the stable hydrogen-bonded trimer, which is of C(sub 3h) symmetry, and the transition state for hydrogen exchange, which is of D(sub 3h) symmetry. The energies of the exchange reation were then evaluated at the correlated level, using a large atomic natural orbital basis and correlating all valence electrons. Several correlation treatments were used, namely, configration interaction with single and double excitations, coupled-pair functional, and coupled-cluster methods. We are thus able to measure the effect of accounting for size-extensivity. Zero-point corrections to the correlated level energetics were determined using analytic second derivative techniques at the SCF level. Our best calculations, which include the effects of connected triple excitations in the coupled-cluster procedure, indicate that the trimer is bound by 9 +/- 1 kcal/mol relative to three separate monomers, in excellent agreement with previous estimates. The barrier to concerted hydrogen exchange is 15 kcal/mol above the trimer, or only 4.7 kcal/mol above three separated monomers. Thus the barrier to hydrogen exchange between HF molecules via this termolecular process is very low.

Komornicki, Andrew↗

Metal Hydroxide and Oxyhydroxide Gas Database

In a high temperature combustion situation such as a gas turbine or rocket engine, combustion products include water vapor. This water vapor reacts with oxides in the hot-gas-path to form volatile hydroxides and oxyhydroxides. The oxides may be structural oxide components or protective oxides on alloys or non-oxide ceramics. In either case, this enhanced volatilization leads to degradation of components. Reliable thermochemical data for many metal hydroxides and oxyhydroxides has not been available. We review a database put together at NASA over many years based on experimental and ab initio computations for thermochemical data of Al, Si, Ti, Cr, Mn, Y, Zr, La, Ta, Gd, and Yb hydroxides and oxyhydroxides. Experimental methods for measuring thermodynamic quantities of metal hydroxides and oxyhydroxides are limited since the required high temperatures and high pressures preclude many conventional methods. Nonetheless, transpiration has proven a valuable tool in our laboratories for the Si-O-H, Cr-O-H, and Ti-O-H systems. Data are analyzed with second and third law methods. These data can be leveraged with quantum chemistry to provide reliable free energy functions for the third law calculation and comparison to the derived enthalpies of formation. Both wave function and DFT methods can be utilized for deriving the thermodynamic functions for the various metal hydroxides and oxyhydroxides. We have found that, in general, reasonable molecular geometries and spectroscopic data can be derived with a relatively low level of theory, i.e. DFT with the B3LYP functional. Accurate calculations of the enthalpy of formation require higher levels of theory, such as the Coupled Cluster, Singles, Doubles, and perturbative Triples CCSD(T) approach with complete basis sets (CBS). Also, corrections for hindered rotations and anharmonicity are necessary. For some symmetries, the anharmonic correction has proven to be a challenge and we have found that this is only treated properly by certain codes. The database lists the fHo(298), So(298), and Cp in the form Cp = A + BT + CT2 + D/T + E/T2, where A, B, C, D, and E are the fitting constants. Thus, it can be easily used in any of the common computational thermochemistry codes. To date, the database contains 51 gaseous species of the formula MOx(OH)y.

Metal Hydroxides↗

Behavior of Langmuir Probes in Non-Equilibrium Plasmas

Langmuir probes are diagnostic tools used to determine electron temperature, number density, and plasma potential. Irving Langmuir first used an electrostatic probe in the 1920s to find these characteristics in ionized gases. Single, double, and triple Langmuir probes are commonly used in plasma diagnostics because of their relative simplicity. In the single probe, a swept voltage is applied between the probe tip and circuit common to acquire a waveform showing the collected current as a function of applied voltage. A double Langmuir probe consists of two tips, both inserted into the plasma, with a voltage applied between them. As this voltage is swept, a current-voltage characteristic is measured. In a triple probe three probe tips are electrically coupled to each other with constant non-swept voltages applied between each of the tips. The voltages are selected to represent three points on the single Langmuir probe I-V curve. Elimination of the voltage sweep makes it possible to measure time-varying plasma properties in transient plasmas. Triple Langmuir probe measurements have been widely employed for various types of plasmas, including pulsed and time-varying plasmas such as those seen in pulsed plasma thrusters (PPTs), dense plasma focus devices, plasma flows, and fusion experiments. The typical Langmuir probe analysis for determining electron temperature and number density of the plasma (for a single, double, or triple Langmuir probe) includes an assumption that the plasma is in thermal equilibrium. While the this assumption may be justified for some applications, it is unlikely that it is fully justifiable for pulsed and time-varying plasmas or for the entire time a plasma device is in use. In the present work, we model the responses of Langmuir probes as they are inserted into a range of simple equilibrium and non-equilibrium plasmas. We return to basic governing equations of probe current collection and compute the current to the probes for a distribution function consisting of two Maxwellian distributions with different temperatures (the two-temperature Maxwellian). A variation of this method is also employed, where one of the Maxwellians is offset from zero (in velocity space) to add a suprathermal beam of electrons to the tail of the main Maxwellian distribution (the bump-on-the-tail distribution function). For a range of parameters in these non-Maxwellian distributions, we compute the current collection to the probes. Comparing the distribution function that was assumed a priori with the plasma density and temperature one would infer when applying standard probe theory to analyze the collected currents serves to illustrate the effect a non- Maxwellian plasma would have on results interpreted using the equilibrium probe current collection theory, allowing us to state the magnitudes of these deviations as a function of the assumed distribution function properties.

Polzin, Kurt A.↗

Behavior of Triple Langmuir Probes in Non-Equilibrium Plasmas

The triple Langmuir probe is an electrostatic probe in which three probe tips collect current when inserted into a plasma. The triple probe differs from a simple single Langmuir probe in the nature of the voltage applied to the probe tips. In the single probe, a swept voltage is applied to the probe tip to acquire a waveform showing the collected current as a function of applied voltage (I-V curve). In a triple probe three probe tips are electrically coupled to each other with constant voltages applied between each of the tips. The voltages are selected such that they would represent three points on the single Langmuir probe I-V curve. Elimination of the voltage sweep makes it possible to measure time-varying plasma properties in transient plasmas. Under the assumption of a Maxwellian plasma, one can determine the time-varying plasma temperature T(sub e)(t) and number density n(sub e)(t) from the applied voltage levels and the time-histories of the collected currents. In the present paper we examine the theory of triple probe operation, specifically focusing on the assumption of a Maxwellian plasma. Triple probe measurements have been widely employed for a number of pulsed and timevarying plasmas, including pulsed plasma thrusters (PPTs), dense plasma focus devices, plasma flows, and fusion experiments. While the equilibrium assumption may be justified for some applications, it is unlikely that it is fully justifiable for all pulsed and time-varying plasmas or for all times during the pulse of a plasma device. To examine a simple non-equilibrium plasma case, we return to basic governing equations of probe current collection and compute the current to the probes for a distribution function consisting of two Maxwellian distributions with different temperatures (the two-temperature Maxwellian). A variation of this method is also employed, where one of the Maxwellians is offset from zero (in velocity space) to add a suprathermal beam of electrons to the tail of the main Maxwellian distribution (the bump-on-the-tail distribution function). For a range of parameters in these non-Maxwellian distributions, we compute the current collection to the probes. We compare the distribution function that was assumed a priori with the distribution function one would infer when applying standard triple probe theory to analyze the collected currents. For the assumed class of non-Maxwellian distribution functions this serves to illustrate the effect a non-Maxwellian plasma would have on results interpreted using the equilibrium triple probe current collection theory, allowing us to state the magnitudes of these deviations as a function of the assumed distribution function properties.

Polzin, Kurt A.↗

Initiating Molecular Growth in the Interstellar Medium via Dimeric Complexes of Observed Ions and Molecules

A feasible initiation step for particle growth in the interstellar medium (ISM) is simulated by means of ab quantum chemistry methods. The systems studied are dimer ions formed by pairing nitrogen containing small molecules known to exist in the ISM with ions of unsaturated hydrocarbons or vice versa. Complexation energies, structures of ensuing complexes and electronic excitation spectra of the encounter complexes are estimated using various quantum chemistry methods. Moller-Plesset perturbation theory (MP2, Z-averaged perturbation theory (ZAP2), coupled cluster singles and doubles with perturbative triples corrections (CCSD(T)), and density functional theory (DFT) methods (B3LYP) were employed along with the correlation consistent cc-pVTZ and aug-cc-pVTZ basis sets. Two types of complexes are predicted. One type of complex has electrostatic binding with moderate (7-20 kcal per mol) binding energies, that are nonetheless significantly stronger than typical van der Waals interactions between molecules of this size. The other type of complex develops strong covalent bonds between the fragments. Cyclic isomers of the nitrogen containing complexes are produced very easily by ion-molecule reactions. Some of these complexes show intense ultraviolet visible spectra for electronic transitions with large oscillator strengths at the B3LYP, omegaB97, and equations of motion coupled cluster (EOM-CCSD) levels. The open shell nitrogen containing carbonaceous complexes especially exhibit a large oscillator strength electronic transition in the visible region of the electromagnetic spectrum.

Bera, Partha P.↗

The structures, binding energies and vibrational frequencies of Ca3 and Ca4: An application of the CCSD(T) method

The Ca3 and Ca4 metallic clusters have been investigated using state-of-the-art ab initio quantum mechanical methods. Large atomic natural orbital basis sets have been used in conjunction with the singles and doubles coupled-cluster (CCSD) method, a coupled-cluster method that includes a perturbational estimate of connected triple excitations, denoted CCSD(T), and the multireference configuration interaction (MRCI) method. The equilibrium geometries, binding energies and harmonic vibrational frequencies have been determined with each of the methods so that the accuracy of the coupled-cluster methods may be assessed. Since the CCSD(T) method reproduces the MRCI results very well, cubic and quartic force fields of Ca3 and Ca4 have been determined using this approach and used to evaluate the fundamental vibrational frequencies. The infrared intensities of both the e' mode of Ca3 and the t2 mode of Ca4 are found to be small. The results obtained in this study are compared and contrasted with those from our earlier studies on small Be and Mg clusters.

Lee, Timothy J.↗

Theoretical Studies of Routes to Synthesis of Tetrahedral N4

A paper [Chem. Phys. Lett. 345, 295 (2001)] describes theoretical studies of excited electronic states of nitrogen molecules, with a view toward utilizing those states in synthesizing tetrahedral N4, or Td N4 a metastable substance under consideration as a high-energy-density rocket fuel. Several ab initio theoretical approaches were followed in these studies, including complete active space self-consistent field (CASSCF), state-averaged CASSCF (SA-CASSCF), singles configuration interaction (CIS), CIS with second-order and third-order correlation corrections [CIS(D) and CIS(3)], and linear response singles and doubles coupled-cluster (LRCCSD). Standard double zeta polarized and triple zeta double polarized one-particle basis sets were used. The CASSCF calculations overestimated the excitation energies, while SACASSCF calculations partly corrected these overestimates. The accuracy of the CIS calculations varied, depending on the particular state, while the CIS(D), CIS(3), and LRCCSD results were in generally good agreement. The energies of the lowest six excited singlet states of Td N4 as calculated by the LRCCSD were compared with the energies of possible excited states of N2 + N2 fragments, leading to the conclusion that the most likely route for synthesis of Td N4 would involve a combination of two bound quintet states of N2.

Lee, Timothy J.↗

A comparison of the coupled cluster and internally contracted averaged coupled-pair functional levels of theory for the calculation of the MCH2(+) binding energies for M = Sc to Cu

The correlation contribution to the M-C binding energy for the MCH2(+) systems can exceed 100 kcal/mol. At the self-consistent field (SCF) level, these systems can be more than 50 kcal/mol above the fragment energies. In spite of the poor zeroth-order reference, the coupled cluster single and double excitation method with a perturbational estimate of triple excitations, CCSD(T), method is shown to provide an accurate description of these systems. The maximum difference between the CCSD(T) and internally contracted averaged coupled-pair functional binding energies is 1.5 kcal/mol for CrCH2(+), with the remaining systems agreeing to within 1.0 kcal/mol.

Bauschlicher, Charles W., Jr.↗

Ab initio study of the molecular structure and vibrational spectrum of nitric acid and its protonated forms

The equilibrium structures, harmonic vibrational frequencies, IR intensities, and relative energetics of HNO3 and its protonated form H2NO3+ were investigated using double-zeta plus polarization and triple-zeta plus polarization basis sets in conjunction with high-level ab initio methods. The latter include second-order Moller-Plesset perturbation theory, the single and double excitation coupled cluster (CCSD) methods, a perturbational estimate of the effects of connected triple excitations (CCSD(T)), and the self-consistent field. To determine accurate energy differences CCSD(T) energies were computed using large atomic natural orbital basis sets. Four different isomers of H2NO3+ were considered. The lowest energy form of protonated nitric acid was found to correspond to a complex between H2O and NO2+, which is consistent with earlier theoretical and experimental studies.

Lee, Timothy J.↗