PX919-7.5 Quantum Chemistry
Introductory description
N/A.
Module aims
This module provides an in-depth overview of quantum chemistry methods to predict molecular and materials properties. These methods provide the most accurate prediction of the quantum mechanical properties of molecules and form the basis for many more approximate methods. Upon recapitulating the mathematical foundations and properties of many-body quantum systems, the lectures and workshops will establish the algorithmic properties of various quantum chemistry methods and their advantages and disadvantages. The focus will be on providing students with the necessary tools to apply quantum chemistry methods in their research, while also establishing important general concepts such as Perturbation Theory.
Outline syllabus
This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.
- Basics (4 hrs):
a) Short introduction to mathematical concepts used in wave function theory: vector and functional analysis, representation theory, tensor spaces
b) Properties of many-body wave functions, position and momentum representation
c) Spin: Slater determinants, configurational state functions, spin contamination
d) Hartree-Fock Theory: Derivation, algorithm, properties, Coulomb and exchange integrals, ROHF and UHF variants
e) 2nd quantization representation, density matrices, and N-particle reduced electron density matrices, natural orbitals
f) Koopman’s Theorem and Brillouin Theorem - Correlation (4 hrs)
a) Configuration Interaction
b) MCSCF wave functions
c) Coupled Cluster Theory
d) Density Matrix Renormalisation Group and modern matrix/tensor-product state wave function representations
e) Perturbation Theory: Moeller-Plesset and Multireference PT - Green’s Functions, Linear Response, and Many Body perturbation Theory (2 hrs)
a) Rayleigh-Schrödinger Perturbation Theory and Feynman Diagrams
b) The One-particle Green’s Function and approximative MBPT methods
c) The Two-particle Green’s Function and approximative MBPT methods
Learning outcomes
By the end of the module, students should be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge of wave function theory including the basic properties of many-body wave functions and their construction.
- Be aware of all major quantum chemical wave function methods, including their predictive capabilities and their limitations.
- Understand the concepts of correlation and exchange and general strategies how to address them in molecules and materials.
- Be able to differentiate between wave-function-based and quasi-particle-based quantum chemistry methods.
- Be able to follow a basic quantum chemistry algorithm and apply various computational quantum chemistry methods to calculate molecular properties.
Indicative reading list
Modern Quantum Chemistry: Introduction to Advanced Electronic Structure Theory, Attila Szabo, Neil S. Ostlund, Dover Books
Subject specific skills
Demonstrate knowledge of wave function theory including the basic properties of many-body wave functions and their construction
Be aware of all major quantum chemical wave function methods, including their predictive capabilities and their limitations
Understand the concepts of correlation and exchange and general strategies how to address them in molecules and materials
Be able to differentiate between wave-function-based and quasi-particle-based quantum chemistry methods
Be able to follow a basic quantum chemistry algorithm and apply various computational quantum chemistry methods to calculate molecular properties
Transferable skills
Scripting, use of HPC, data analysis.
Study time
| Type | Required |
|---|---|
| Lectures | 5 sessions of 2 hours (13%) |
| Practical classes | 2 sessions of 2 hours (5%) |
| Private study | 39 hours (52%) |
| Assessment | 22 hours (29%) |
| Total | 75 hours |
Private study description
Further reading, familiarisation with codes via tutorials etc
Costs
No further costs have been identified for this module.
You do not need to pass all assessment components to pass the module.
Assessment group D
| Weighting | Study time | |
|---|---|---|
| Assessed work based on workshops | 60% | 12 hours |
|
Two pieces of assessed work based on the material of the two workshops. |
||
| Viva Voce Exam | 40% | 10 hours |
|
30 minutes. |
||
Feedback on assessment
Written annotations to submitted computational notebooks \r\nVerbal discussion during viva voce exam \r\nWritten summary of viva performance
Courses
This module is Core optional for:
- Year 1 of TPXA-F344 Postgraduate Taught Modelling of Heterogeneous Systems
This module is Core option list A for:
- Year 2 of TPXA-F345 Postgraduate Taught Modelling of Heterogeneous Systems (PGDip)