arXiv subjects

Benjamin D. Goddard

Publications and source records attributed to Benjamin D. Goddard.

26 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2016

Wave packet dynamics in the optimal superadiabatic approximation

We explain the concept of superadiabatic approximations and show how in the context of the Born- Oppenheimer approximation they lead to an explicit formula that can be used to predict transitions at avoided crossings. Based on this formula, we present a simple method for computing wave packet dynamics across avoided crossings. Only knowledge of the adiabatic electronic energy levels near the avoided crossing is required for the computation. In particular, this means that no diabatization procedure is necessary, the adiabatic energy levels can be computed on the fly, and they only need to be computed to higher accuracy when an avoided crossing is detected. We test the quality of our method on the paradigmatic example of photo-dissociation of NaI, finding very good agreement with results of exact wave packet calculations.

physics.chem-ph↗

arXiv2014

Fluid structure in the immediate vicinity of an equilibrium three-phase contact line and assessment of disjoining pressure models using density functional theory

We examine the nanoscale behavior of an equilibrium three-phase contact line in the presence of long-ranged intermolecular forces by employing a statistical mechanics of fluids approach, namely density functional theory (DFT) together with fundamental measure theory (FMT). This enables us to evaluate the predictive quality of effective Hamiltonian models in the vicinity of the contact line. In particular, we compare the results for mean field effective Hamiltonians with disjoining pressures defined through (I) the adsorption isotherm for a planar liquid film, and (II) the normal force balance at the contact line. We find that the height profile obtained using (I) shows good agreement with the adsorption film thickness of the DFT-FMT equilibrium density profile in terms of maximal curvature and the behavior at large film heights. In contrast, we observe that while the height profile obtained by using (II) satisfies basic sum rules, it shows little agreement with the adsorption film thickness of the DFT results. The results are verified for contact angles of 20, 40 and 60 degrees.

physics.flu-dyn↗

arXiv2012

Generalized dynamical density functional theory for classical fluids and the significance of inertia and hydrodynamic interactions

We study the dynamics of a colloidal fluid including inertia and hydrodynamic interactions, two effects which strongly influence the non-equilibrium properties of the system. We derive a general dynamical density functional theory (DDFT) which shows very good agreement with full Langevin dynamics. In suitable limits, we recover existing DDFTs and a Navier-Stokes-like equation with additional non-local terms.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2012

The overdamped limit of dynamic density functional theory: Rigorous results

Consider the overdamped limit for a system of interacting particles in the presence of hydrodynamic interactions. For two-body hydrodynamic interactions and one- and two-body potentials, a Smoluchowski-type evolution equation is rigorously derived for the one-particle distribution function. This new equation includes a novel definition of the diffusion tensor. A comparison with existing formulations of dynamic density functional theory is also made.

math-ph↗

arXiv2010

Non-adiabatic transitions through tilted avoided crossings

We investigate the transition of a quantum wave-packet through a one-dimensional avoided crossing of molecular energy levels when the energy levels at the crossing point are tilted. Using superadiabatic representations, and an approximation of the dynamics near the crossing region, we obtain an explicit formula for the transition wavefunction. Our results agree extremely well with high precision ab-initio calculations.

math-ph↗

arXiv2009

Explicit large nuclear charge limit of electronic ground states for Li, Be, B, C, N, O, F, Ne and basic aspects of the periodic table

This paper is concerned with the Schrödinger equation for atoms and ions with N=1 to 10 electrons. In the asymptotic limit of large nuclear charge $Z$, we determine explicitly the low-lying energy levels and eigenstates. The asymptotic energies and wavefunctions are in good quantitative agreement with experimental data for positive ions, and in excellent qualitative agreement even for neutral atoms ($Z=N$). In particular, the predicted ground state spin and angular momentum quantum numbers ($^1S$ for He, Be, Ne, $^2S$ for H and Li, $^4S$ for N, $^2P$ for B and F, and $^3P$ for C and O) agree with experiment in every case. The asymptotic Schrödinger ground states agree, up to small corrections, with the semi-empirical hydrogen orbital configurations developed by Bohr, Hund and Slater to explain the periodic table. In rare cases where our results deviate from this picture, such as the ordering of the lowest ${}^1D^o$ and ${}^3S^o$ states of the Carbon isoelectronic sequence, experiment confirms our, not Hund's, predictions.

math-ph↗

arXiv2009

Asymptotics-based CI models for atoms: properties, exact solution of a minimal model for Li to Ne, and application to atomic spectra

Configuration-Interaction (CI) models are approximations to the electronic Schrödinger equation which are widely used for numerical electronic structure calculations in quantum chemistry. Based on our recent closed-form asymptotic results for the full atomic Schrödinger equation in the limit of fixed electron number and large nuclear charge, we introduce a class of CI models for atoms which reproduce, at fixed finite model dimension, the correct Schrödinger eigenvalues and eigenstates in this limit. We solve exactly the ensuing minimal model for the second period atoms, Li to Ne. The energy levels and eigenstates are in remarkably good agreement with experimental data (comparable to that of much larger scale numerical simulations in the literature), and facilitate a mathematical understanding of various spectral, chemical and physical properties of small atoms.

math-ph↗

arXiv2009

Superadiabatic transition histories in quantum molecular dynamics

We study the dynamics of a molecule's nuclear wave-function near an avoided crossing of two electronic energy levels, for one nuclear degree of freedom. We derive the general form of the Schroedinger equation in the n-th superadiabatic representation for all n, and give some partial results about the asymptotics for large n. Using these results, we obtain closed formulas for the time development of the component of the wave function in an initially unoccupied energy subspace, when a wave packet crosses the transition region. In the optimal superadiabatic representation, which we define, this component builds up monontonically. Finally, we give an explicit formula for the transition wave function away from the crossing, which is in excellent agreement with high precision numerical calculations.

math-ph↗