Parallel, linear-scaling building-block and embedding method based on localized orbitals and orbital-specific basis sets

We present a new linear scaling method for the energy minimization step of semiempirical and first-principles Hartree-Fock and Kohn-Sham calculations. It is based on the self-consistent calculation of the optimum localized orbitals of any localization method of choice and on the use of orbital-specific basis sets. The full set of localized orbitals of a large molecule is seen as an orbital mosaic where each tessera is made of only a few of them. The orbital tesserae are computed out of a set of embedded cluster pseudoeigenvalue coupled equations which are solved in a building-block self-consistent fashion. In each iteration, the embedded cluster equations are solved independently of each other and, as a result, the method is parallel at a high level of the calculation. In addition to full system calculations, the method enables to perform simpler, much less demanding embedded cluster calculations, where only a fraction of the localized molecular orbitals are variational while the rest are frozen, taking advantage of the transferability of the localized orbitals of a given localization method between similar molecules. Monitoring single point energy calculations of large poly(ethylene oxide) molecules and three dimensional carbon monoxide clusters using an extended Huckel Hamiltonian are presented.Comment: latex, 15 pages, 10 figures, accepted for publication in J.Chem.Phy

Direct evidence of intervalence charge-transfer states of Eu-doped luminescent materials

Direct evidence is given for the existence of intervalence charge transfer (IVCT) states of Eu2+/Eu3+ pairs in Eu-doped CaF2 , SrF2, and BaF2 . They are detected in diffuse reflectance spectra. In doped materials, IVCT states, in which an electron transfer occurs between two metal sites differing only in oxidation state, are rather difficult to observe because the absorption bands are extremely broad and flat, their intensity is low, and no emission follows the IVCT absorptions. Their assignment as IVCT states is provided by state-of-the-art multiconfigurational ab initio calculations. Although IVCT states of lanthanide-doped materials have largely been overlooked so far, they can cause luminescence quenching and even complete luminescence excitation loss. Their direct observation and independent assignment in classical dopant (Eu) and hosts (CaF2, SrF2, BaF2) are very significant: They suggest that the occurrence of IVCT states in other lanthanide-activated materials is very likely overlooked and their impact is ignored