Density Functional Calculations

Demonstrates how anyone in math, science, and engineering can master DFT calculations Density functional theory (DFT) is one of the most frequently used computational tools for studying and predicting the properties of isolated molecules, bulk solids, and material interfaces, including surfaces. Although the theoretical underpinnings of DFT are quite complicated, this book demonstrates that the basic concepts underlying the calculations are simple enough to be understood by anyone with a background in chemistry, physics, engineering, or mathematics. The authors show how the widespread availability of powerful DFT codes makes it possible for students and researchers to apply this important computational technique to a broad range of fundamental and applied problems. Density Functional Theory: A Practical Introduction offers a concise, easy-to-follow introduction to the key concepts and practical applications of DFT, focusing on plane-wave DFT. The authors have many years of experience introducing DFT to students from a variety of backgrounds. The book therefore offers several features that have proven to be helpful in enabling students to master the subject, including: Problem sets in each chapter that give readers the opportunity to test their knowledge by performing their own calculations Worked examples that demonstrate how DFT calculations are used to solve real-world problems Further readings listed in each chapter enabling readers to investigate specific topics in greater depth This text is written at a level suitable for individuals from a variety of scientific, mathematical, and engineering backgrounds. No previous experience working with DFT calculations is needed.

Density functional theory (DFT) ranks as the most widely used quantum mechanical method and plays an increasingly larger role in a number of disciplines such as chemistry, physics, material, biology, and pharmacy. DFT has long been used to complement experimental investigations, while now it is also regarded as an indispensable and powerful tool for researchers of different fields. This book is divided into five sections that include original chapters written by experts in their fields: "Method Development and Validation," "Spectra and Thermodynamics," "Catalysis and Mechanism," "Material and Molecular Design," and "Multidisciplinary Integration." I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all contributors and recommend this book to both beginners and experienced researchers.

Density Functional Theory A concise and rigorous introduction to the applications of DFT calculations In the newly revised second edition of Density Functional Theory: A Practical Introduction, the authors deliver a concise and easy-to-follow introduction to the key concepts and practical applications of density functional theory (DFT) with an emphasis on plane-wave DFT. The authors draw on decades of experience in the field, offering students from a variety of backgrounds a balanced approach between accessibility and rigor, creating a text that is highly digestible in its entirety. This new edition: Discusses in more detail the accuracy of DFT calculations and the choice of functionals Adds an overview of the wide range of available DFT codes Contains more examples on the use of DFT for high throughput materials calculations Puts more emphasis on computing phase diagrams and on open ensemble methods widely used in electrochemistry Is significantly extended to cover calculation beyond standard DFT, e.g., dispersion-corrected DFT, DFT+U, time-dependent DFT Perfect for graduate students and postdoctoral candidates in physics and engineering, Density Functional Theory: A Practical Introduction will also earn a place in the libraries of researchers and practitioners in chemistry, materials science, and mechanical engineering.

This book is a contribution to the fast and broad Density Functional Theory (DFT) applications of the last few years. Since 2000, the DFT has grown exponentially in several computational areas because of its versatility and reliability to calculate energy from electronic density. The fast DFT’s calculations show how scientists develop more codes focused to simulate molecular and material properties reaching better conclusions than with previous theories. More powerful computers and lower computational costs have certainly assisted the increased growth of interest in this theory. Each chapter presents a specific subject contributing to a vision of the great potential of the quantum/DFT simulations in high pressure, chemical reactivity, ionic liquid, chemoinformatic, molecular docking, and non-equilibrium state.

Density Functional Theory (DFT) is currently receiving a great deal of attention as chemists come to realize its important role as a tool for chemistry. This book covers the theoretical principles of DFT, and details its application to several contemporary problems. All current techniques are covered, many are critically assessed, and some proposals for the future are reviewed. The book demonstrates that DFT is a practical solution to the problems standard ab initio methods have with chemical accuracy. The book is aimed at both the theoretical chemist and the experimentalist who want to relate their experiments to the governing theory. It will prove a useful and enduring reference work.

"Chemists familiar with conventional quantum mechanics will applaud and benefit greatly from this particularly instructive, thorough and clearly written exposition of density functional theory: its basis, concepts, terms, implementation, and performance in diverse applications. Users of DFT for structure, energy, and molecular property computations, as well as reaction mechanism studies, are guided to the optimum choices of the most effective methods. Well done!" Paul von Ragué Schleyer "A conspicuous hole in the computational chemist's library is nicely filled by this book, which provides a wide-ranging and pragmatic view of the subject.[...It] should justifiably become the favorite text on the subject for practioneers who aim to use DFT to solve chemical problems." J. F. Stanton, J. Am. Chem. Soc. "The authors' aim is to guide the chemist through basic theoretical and related technical aspects of DFT at an easy-to-understand theoretical level. They succeed admirably." P. C. H. Mitchell, Appl. Organomet. Chem. "The authors have done an excellent service to the chemical community. [...] A Chemist's Guide to Density Functional Theory is exactly what the title suggests. It should be an invaluable source of insight and knowledge for many chemists using DFT approaches to solve chemical problems." M. Kaupp, Angew. Chem.

This book is an outcome of the International Workshop on Electronic Density Functional Theory, held at Griffith University in Brisbane, Australia, in July 1996. Density functional theory, standing as it does at the boundary between the disciplines of physics, chemistry, and materials science, is a great mixer. Invited experts from North America, Europe, and Australia mingled with students from several disciplines, rapidly taking up the informal style for which Australia is famous. A list of participants is given at the end of the book. Density functional theory (DFT) is a subtle approach to the very difficult problem of predicting the behavior of many interacting particles. A major application is the study of many-electron systems. This was the workshop theme, embracing inter alia computational chemistry and condensed matter physics. DFT circumvents the more conceptually straightforward (but more computationally intensive) approach in which one solves the many-body Schrodinger equation. It relies instead on rather delicate considerations involving the electron number density. For many years the pioneering work of Kohn and Sham (the Local Density Ap proximation of 1965 and immediate extensions) represented the state of the art in DFT. This approach was widely used for its appealing simplicity and computability, but gave rather modest accuracy. In the last few years there has been a renaissance of interest, quite largely due to the remarkable success of the new generation of gradient functionals whose initiators include invitees to the workshop (Perdew, Parr, Yang).

In the last few years, much attention has been given by theoretical chemists to the development of more accurate model functionals and faster computational techniques including excited electronic states. The 8th International Conference on the Applications of Density Functional Theory to Chemistry and Physics, held in Rome, Italy, on 6-10 September 1999, gathered chemists and physicists to present and discuss state-of-the-art methodological developments and applications of density functional theory (DFT) to increasingly complex systems. The scientists shared their knowledge and experience in DFT, enabling them to face the challenges posed by the needs of high level modeling and simulation in their disciplines. The meeting was opened with an exciting lecture delivered by Nobel laureate W Kohn. The growing use of DFT in studying organic, inorganic and organometallic molecules, clusters and solids provided the basis for the success of the conference, whose main contributions are collected in this invaluable book.