The dissociation energy of Cu2 - Do we want to perform multi-reference singles and doubles CIs on many-electron systems?
Reference is made to a study by Hay and Dunning (1976), who showed that, for most problems, it is not necessary to perform full FOCI (first order configuration interaction); instead, only that subset of configuration state functions (CSFs) that differ by only one or two spin orbitals from any of a list of reference configurations need be used. This is referred to as POLCI. Calculations of the D(e) of Cu2 using both SDCI (singles and doubles configuration interaction) and POLCI models are presented. It is found that the size-consistency problems associated with SDCI cause an error in D(e), whereas the POLCI results are in excellent agreement with experiment. It is proposed that the orbitals be classified as inactive and active and that the inactive-inactive correlation be eliminated to reduce the size-consistency error. In addition, it is recommended that SDCI treatments be applied with caution to systems having a large number of electrons.