Discontinuities of energy derivatives in spin-density functional theory

Abstract

Standard approximations for the exchange-correlation functional are known to deviate from linear dependence of the energy on the electron and spin numbers (in -space). Violation of this flat-plane condition underlies the failure of all known approximate functionals to describe band gaps in strongly correlated systems. Then crucial for further development of functionals is recognition of the behavior of the energy as a function of, and its derivatives (derivatives discontinuity pattern at 0K limit). In this Letter, the energy derivatives are analyzed thoroughly. It is shown that apart from the well-known type of discontinuity pattern, three other patterns are possible in the vicinity of the singlet state point. The zero temperature limits of energy derivatives at this point are derived, found different for various directions. Existence of all discontinuity patterns is illustrated on the example of diatomic molecules set.