The coupled-cluster singles and doubles model (CCSD) is derived algebraically, presenting the full set of equations for a general reference function explicitly in spin–orbital form. The computational implementation of the CCSD model, which involves cubic and quartic terms, is discussed and results are reported and compared with full CI calculations for H2O and BeH2. We demonstrate that the CCSD exponential ansatz sums higher-order correlation effects efficiently even for BeH2, near its transition state geometry where quasidegeneracy efforts are quite large, recovering 98% of the full CI correlation energy. For H2O, CCSD plus the fourth-order triple excitation correction agrees with the full CI energy to 0.5 kcal/mol. Comparisons with low-order models provide estimates of the effect of the higher-order terms T1T2, T21T2, T31, and T41 on the correlation energy.

Many-body (diagrammatic) perturbation theory (MBPT), coupled-pair many-electron theory (CPMET), and configuration interaction (CI) are investigated with particular emphasis on the importance of quadruple excitations in correlation theories. These different methods are used to obtain single, double, and quadruple excitation contributions to the correlation energy for a series of molecules including CO,, HCN, N,. CO, BH3, and NH3. It is demonstrated that the sum of double and quadruple excitation diagrams through fourth-order perturbation theory is usually quite close to the CPMET result for these molecules at equilibrium geometries. The superior reliability of the CPMET model as a function of internuclear separation is illustrated by studying the 'Xi potential curve of Be,.This molecule violates the assumption common to nondegenerate perturbation theory that only a single reference function is important and this causes improper behavior of the potential curve as a function of R. This is resolved once the quadruple excitation terms are fully included by CPMET.

Molecular applications of coupled cluster and many-body perturbation methods.

The coupled-cluster single and double excitation model (CCSD) is applied to an energy path for the insertion of Be into HZ and compared to the full configuration interaction (FCI) and full valence-multiconfiguration self-consistent field (FV -MCSCF) results. This model problem is a severe test of a single-reference-function correlated method since two configurations are heavily weighted in the FCI description. CCSD is demonstrated to describe the FCI results using a single reference function which, however, changes orbital characteristics along the sampling path. In this case CCSD gives excellent agreement with the FCI results.