Meta-generalized gradient approximation: non-empirical construction and performance of a density functional

Author: Tao J.  

Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

ISSN: 1478-6443

Source: Philosophical Magazine, Vol.87, Iss.7, 2007-03, pp. : 1071-1084

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Abstract

The local ingredients of a meta-generalized gradient approximation (meta-GGA) include the electron density, its gradient, and the Kohn-Sham orbital kinetic energy density. We discuss the strategy of constructing a successful meta-GGA density functional for the exchange-correlation energy that satisfies exact constraints without empirical parameters. The new feature of this functional is that it simultaneously respects the two paradigms of electronic structure theory: one- or two-electron densities and slowly-varying densities, and so is uniformly accurate for atoms, molecules and solids. Results of extensive numerical tests of the new functional are summarized and evaluated.