Relativistic Quantum Chemistry

"Written by two researchers in the field, this book is a reference to explain the principles and fundamentals in a self-contained, complete and consistent way. Much attention is paid to the didactical value, with the chapters interconnected and based on each other. From beginning to end, the authors deduce all the concepts and rules, such that readers are able to understand the fundamentals and principles behind the theory. Essential reading for theoretical chemists and physicists." --Book Jacket.

Written by two researchers in the field, this book is a reference to explain the principles and fundamentals in a self-contained, complete and consistent way. Much attention is paid to the didactical value, with the chapters interconnected and based on each other. From the contents: * Fundamentals * Relativistic Theory of a Free Electron: Diracï¿1⁄2s Equation * Dirac Theory of a Single Electron in a Central Potential * Many-Electron Theory I: Quantum Electrodynamics * Many-Electron Theory II: Dirac-Hartree-Fock Theory * Elimination of the Small Component * Unitary Transformation Schemes * Relativistic Density Functional Theory * Physical Observables and Molecular Properties * Interpretive Approach to Relativistic Quantum Chemistry From beginning to end, the authors deduce all the concepts and rules, such that readers are able to understand the fundamentals and principles behind the theory. Essential reading for theoretical chemists and physicists.

This book provides an introduction to the essentials of relativistic effects in quantum chemistry, and a reference work that collects all the major developments in this field. It is designed for the graduate student and the computational chemist with a good background in nonrelativistic theory. In addition to explaining the necessary theory in detail, at a level that the non-expert and the student should readily be able to follow, the book discusses the implementation of the theory and practicalities of its use in calculations. After a brief introduction to classical relativity and electromagnetism, the Dirac equation is presented, and its symmetry, atomic solutions, and interpretation are explored. Four-component molecular methods are then developed: self-consistent field theory and the use of basis sets, double-group and time-reversal symmetry, correlation methods, molecular properties, and an overview of relativistic density functional theory. The emphases in this section are on the basics of relativistic theory and how relativistic theory differs from nonrelativistic theory. Approximate methods are treated next, starting with spin separation in the Dirac equation, and proceeding to the Foldy-Wouthuysen, Douglas-Kroll, and related transformations, Breit-Pauli and direct perturbation theory, regular approximations, matrix approximations, and pseudopotential and model potential methods. For each of these approximations, one-electron operators and many-electron methods are developed, spin-free and spin-orbit operators are presented, and the calculation of electric and magnetic properties is discussed. The treatment of spin-orbit effects with correlation rounds off the presentation of approximate methods. The book concludes with a discussion of the qualitative changes in the picture of structure and bonding that arise from the inclusion of relativity.

E = mc2 and the Periodic Table . . . RELATIVISTIC EFFECTS IN CHEMISTRY This century's most famous equation, Einstein's special theory of relativity, transformed our comprehension of the nature of time and matter. Today, making use of the theory in a relativistic analysis of heavy molecules, that is, computing the properties and nature of electrons, is the work of chemists intent on exploring the mysteries of minute particles. The first work of its kind, Relativistic Effects in Chemistry details the computational and analytical methods used in studying the relativistic effects in chemical bonding as well as the spectroscopic properties of molecules containing very heavy atoms. The second of two independent volumes, Part B: Applications contains specific experimental and theoretical results on the electronic states of molecules containing very heavy atoms as well as their spectroscopic properties and electronic structures. The first one-volume catalog of comprehensive computational results, Part B details: * the relativistic effects on the electronic structure of transition metal clusters, such as the Cu, Ag, and Au triad * the electronic structure of open-shell transition metal clusters such as Rh3 and Ir3 * the electronic and spectroscopic properties of heteronuclear diatomics of main group p-block elements from Ga to Po, especially the diatomic hydrides, halides, and chalconides * the clusters of the very heavy main group p-block elements from Ga to Po * the relativistic effects on molecules containing lanthanide and actinide atoms, including metals inside fullerenes. An extraordinary new examination of Periodic Table elements, Part B of Relativistic Effects in Chemistry is also evidence of the enduring influence of Einstein's revolutionary theory.

This book is intended for physicists and chemists who need to understand the theory of atomic and molecular structure and processes, and who wish to apply the theory to practical problems. As far as practicable, the book provides a self-contained account of the theory of relativistic atomic and molecular structure, based on the accepted formalism of bound-state Quantum Electrodynamics. The author was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of London in 1992.

Relativistic effects, though minor in light atoms, increase rapidly in magnitude as the atomic number increases. For heavy atom species, it becomes necessary to discard the SchrAdinger equation in favor of the Dirac equation. Construction of an effective many-body Hamiltonian that accurately accounts for both relativistic and electron correlation effects in many-electron systems is a challenge. It is only in the past 20OCo25 years that relativistic quantum chemistry has emerged as a field of research in its own right, and it seems certain that relativistic many-electron calculations of molecular properties will assume increasing importance in the years ahead as relativistic quantum chemistry finds a wider range of applications.With the increasing use of relativistic quantum chemical techniques in chemistry, there is an obvious need to provide experts' reviews of the methods and algorithms. This volume aims to disseminate aspects of relativistic many-electron theories and their exciting developments by practitioners. Together, the nine chapters provide an in-depth account of the most important topics of contemporary research in relativistic quantum chemistry, ranging from quasirelativistic effective core potential methods to relativistic coupled cluster theory."

In this book, quantum mechanics is developed from the outset on a relativistic basis, using the superposition principle, Lorentz invariance and gauge invariance. Nonrelativistic quantum mechanics appears as a special case, and classical relativistic mechanics as another one. These special cases are important for giving plausible names to operators, for example "orbital angular momentum", "spin" or "magnetic moment". A subject which is treated for the first time in this book is the theory of binaries in terms of differential equations which have the mathematical structure of the corresponding one-body equations (Klein--Gordon for two spin- less particles, Dirac for two spinor particles).

Relativistic Quantum Mechanics. Wave Equations concentrates mainly on the wave equations for spin-0 and spin-1/2 particles. Chapter 1 deals with the Klein-Gordon equation and its properties and applications. The chapters that follow introduce the Dirac equation, investigate its covariance properties and present various approaches to obtaining solutions. Numerous applications are discussed in detail, including the two-center Dirac equation, hole theory, CPT symmetry, Klein's paradox, and relativistic symmetry principles. Chapter 15 presents the relativistic wave equations for higher spin (Proca, Rarita-Schwinger, and Bargmann-Wigner). The extensive presentation of the mathematical tools and the 62 worked examples and problems make this a unique text for an advanced quantum mechanics course. This third edition has been slightly revised to bring the text up-to-date.