arXiv subjects

Sandro Sorella

Publications and source records attributed to Sandro Sorella.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

arXiv2017

Carbon nanotubes as excitonic insulators

Fifty years ago Walter Kohn speculated that a zero-gap semiconductor might be unstable against the spontaneous generation of excitons---electron-hole pairs bound together by Coulomb attraction. The reconstructed ground state would then open a gap breaking the symmetry of the underlying lattice, a genuine consequence of electronic correlations. Here we show that this excitonic insulator is realized in zero-gap carbon nanotubes by performing first-principles calculations through many-body perturbation theory as well as quantum Monte Carlo. The excitonic order modulates the charge between the two carbon sublattices opening an experimentally observable gap, which scales as the inverse of the tube radius and weakly depends on the axial magnetic field. Our findings call into question the Luttinger liquid paradigm for nanotubes and provide tests to experimentally discriminate between excitonic and Mott insulator.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2017

Towards the solution of the many-electron problem in real materials: equation of state of the hydrogen chain with state-of-the-art many-body methods

We present numerical results for the equation of state of an infinite chain of hydrogen atoms. A variety of modern many-body methods are employed, with exhaustive cross-checks and validation. Approaches for reaching the continuous space limit and the thermodynamic limit are investigated, proposed, and tested. The detailed comparisons provide a benchmark for assessing the current state of the art in many-body computation, and for the development of new methods. The ground-state energy per atom in the linear chain is accurately determined versus bondlength, with a confidence bound given on all uncertainties.

physics.comp-ph↗

arXiv2017

Phase diagram of hydrogen and a hydrogen-helium mixture at planetary conditions by Quantum Monte Carlo simulations

Understanding planetary interiors is directly linked to our ability of simulating exotic quantum mechanical systems such as hydrogen (H) and hydrogen-helium (H-He) mixtures at high pressures and temperatures. Equations of State (EOSs) tables based on Density Functional Theory (DFT), are commonly used by planetary scientists, although this method allows only for a qualitative description of the phase diagram, due to an incomplete treatment of electronic interactions. Here we report Quantum Monte Carlo (QMC) molecular dynamics simulations of pure H and H-He mixture. We calculate the first QMC EOS at 6000 K for an H-He mixture of a proto-solar composition, and show the crucial influence of He on the H metallization pressure. Our results can be used to calibrate other EOS calculations and are very timely given the accurate determination of Jupiter's gravitational field from the NASA Juno mission and the effort to determine its structure.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2016

Toward Accurate Adsorption Energetics on Clay Surfaces

Clay minerals are ubiquitous in nature, and the manner in which they interact with their surroundings has important industrial and environmental implications. Consequently, a molecular-level understanding of the adsorption of molecules on clay surfaces is crucial. In this regard computer simulations play an important role, yet the accuracy of widely used empirical force fields (FF) and density functional theory (DFT) exchange-correlation functionals is often unclear in adsorption systems dominated by weak interactions. Herein we present results from quantum Monte Carlo (QMC) for water and methanol adsorption on the prototypical clay kaolinite. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time QMC has been used to investigate adsorption at a complex, natural surface such as a clay. As well as being valuable in their own right, the QMC benchmarks obtained provide reference data against which the performance of cheaper DFT methods can be tested. Indeed using various DFT exchange-correlation functionals yields a very broad range of adsorption energies, and it is unclear a priori which evaluation is better. QMC reveals that in the systems considered here it is essential to account for van der Waals (vdW) dispersion forces since this alters both the absolute and relative adsorption energies of water and methanol. We show, via FF simulations, that incorrect relative energies can lead to significant changes in the interfacial densities of water and methanol solutions at the kaolinite interface. Despite the clear improvements offered by the vdW-corrected and the vdW-inclusive functionals, absolute adsorption energies are often overestimated, suggesting that the treatment of vdW forces in DFT is not yet a solved problem.

physics.chem-ph↗

arXiv2016

Hidden Mott transition and large-$U$ superconductivity in the two-dimensional Hubbard model

We consider the one-band Hubbard model on the square lattice by using variational and Green's function Monte Carlo methods, where the variational states contain Jastrow and backflow correlations on top of an uncorrelated wave function that includes BCS pairing and magnetic order. At half filling, where the ground state is antiferromagnetically ordered for any value of the on-site interaction $U$, we can identify a hidden critical point $U_{\rm Mott}$, above which a finite BCS pairing is stabilized in the wave function. The existence of this point is reminiscent of the Mott transition in the paramagnetic sector and determines a separation between a Slater insulator (at small values of $U$), where magnetism induces a potential energy gain, and a Mott insulator (at large values of $U$), where magnetic correlations drive a kinetic energy gain. Most importantly, the existence of $U_{\rm Mott}$ has crucial consequences when doping the system: We observe a tendency to phase separation into a hole-rich and a hole-poor region only when doping the Slater insulator, while the system is uniform by doping the Mott insulator. Superconducting correlations are clearly observed above $U_{\rm Mott}$, leading to the characteristic dome structure in doping. Furthermore, we show that the energy gain due to the presence of a finite BCS pairing above $U_{\rm Mott}$ shifts from the potential to the kinetic sector by increasing the value of the Coulomb repulsion.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2016

Accelerated ab-initio Molecular Dynamics: probing the weak dispersive forces in dense liquid hydrogen

We propose an ab-initio molecular dynamics method, capable to reduce dramatically the autocorrelation time required for the simulation of classical and quantum particles at finite temperature. The method is based on an efficient implementation of a first order Langevin dynamics modified by means of a suitable, position dependent acceleration matrix $S$. Here we apply this technique, within a Quantum Monte Carlo (QMC) based wavefuntion approach and within the Born-Oppheneimer approximation, for determining the phase diagram of high-pressure Hydrogen with simulations much longer than the autocorrelation time. With the proposed method, we are able to equilibrate in few hundreds steps even close to the liquid-liquid phase transition (LLT). Within our approach we find that the LLT transition is consistent with recent density functionals predicting a much larger transition pressures when the long range dispersive forces are taken into account.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2016

Boosting the accuracy and speed of quantum Monte Carlo: size-consistency and time-step

Diffusion Monte Carlo (DMC) simulations for fermions are becoming the standard to provide high quality reference data in systems that are too large to be investigated via quantum chemical approaches. DMC with the fixed-node approximation relies on modifications of the Green function to avoid singularities near the nodal surface of the trial wavefunction. We show that these modifications affect the DMC energies in a way that is not size-consistent, resulting in large time-step errors. Building on the modifications of Umrigar {\em et al.} and of DePasquale {\em et al.} we propose a simple Green function modification that restores size-consistency to large values of time-step; substantially reducing the time-step errors. The new algorithm also yields remarkable speedups of up to two orders of magnitude in the calculation of molecule-molecule binding energies and crystal cohesive energies, thus extending the horizons of what is possible with DMC.

physics.chem-ph↗

arXiv2016

Assessing the orbital selective Mott transition with variational wave functions

We study the Mott metal-insulator transition in the two-band Hubbard model with different hopping amplitudes $t_1$ and $t_2$ for the two orbitals on the two-dimensional square lattice by using {\it non-magnetic} variational wave functions, similarly to what has been considered in the limit of infinite dimensions by dynamical mean-field theory. We work out the phase diagram at half filling (i.e., two electrons per site) as a function of $R=t_2/t_1$ and the on-site Coulomb repulsion $U$, for two values of the Hund's coupling $J=0$ and $J/U=0.1$. Our results are in good agreement with previous dynamical mean-field theory calculations, demonstrating that the non-magnetic phase diagram is only slightly modified from infinite to two spatial dimensions. Three phases are present: a metallic one, for small values of $U$, where both orbitals are itinerant; a Mott insulator, for large values of $U$, where both orbitals are localized because of the Coulomb repulsion; and the so-called orbital-selective Mott insulator (OSMI), for small values of $R$ and intermediate $U$'s, where one orbital is localized while the other one is still itinerant. The effect of the Hund's coupling is two-fold: on one side, it favors the full Mott phase over the OSMI; on the other side, it stabilizes the OSMI at larger values of $R$.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2016

Competing collinear magnetic structures in superconducting FeSe by first principles quantum Monte Carlo calculations

Resolving the interplay between magnetic interactions and structural properties in strongly correlated materials through a quantitatively accurate approach has been a major challenge in condensed matter physics. Here we apply highly accurate first principles quantum Monte Carlo (QMC) techniques to obtain structural and magnetic properties of the iron selenide (FeSe) superconductor under pressure. Where comparable, the computed properties are very close to the experimental values. Of potential ordered magnetic configurations, collinear spin configurations are the most energetically favorable over the explored pressure range. They become nearly degenerate in energy with bicollinear spin orderings at around 7 GPa, when the experimental critical temperature $T_c$ is the highest. On the other hand, ferromagnetic, checkerboard, and staggered dimer configurations become relatively higher in energy as the pressure increases. The behavior under pressure is explained by an accurate analysis of the charge compressibility and the orbital occupation as described by the QMC many-body wave function, which reveals how spin, charge and orbital degrees of freedom are strongly coupled in this compound. This remarkable pressure evolution suggests that stripe-like magnetic fluctuations may be responsible for the enhanced $T_c$ in FeSe and that higher T$_c$ is associated with nearness to a crossover between collinear and bicollinear ordering.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2016

Universal quantum criticality in the metal-insulator transition of two-dimensional interacting Dirac electrons

The metal-insulator transition has been a subject of intense research since Nevil Mott has first proposed that the metallic behavior of interacting electrons could turn to the insulating one as electron correlations increase. Here, we consider electrons with massless Dirac-like dispersion in two spatial dimensions, described by the Hubbard models on two geometrically different lattices, and perform numerically exact calculations on unprecedentedly large systems that, combined with a careful finite size scaling analysis, allow us to explore the quantum critical behavior in the vicinity of the interaction-driven metal-insulator transition. We find thereby that the transition is continuous and determine the quantum criticality for the corresponding universality class, which is described in the continuous limit by the Gross-Neveu model, a model extensively studied in quantum field theory. We furthermore discuss a fluctuation-driven scenario for the metal-insulator transition in the interacting Dirac electrons: the metal-insulator transition is triggered only by the vanishing of the quasiparticle weight but not the Dirac Fermi velocity, which instead remains finite near the transition. This important feature cannot be captured by a simple mean-field or Gutzwiller-type approximate picture, but is rather consistent with the low energy behavior of the Gross-Neveu model.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2016

Geminal embedding scheme for optimal atomic basis set construction in correlated calculations

We introduce an efficient method to construct optimal and system adaptive basis sets for use in electronic structure and quantum Monte Carlo calculations. The method is based on an embedding scheme in which a reference atom is singled out from its environment, while the entire system (atom and environment) is described by a Slater determinant or its antisymmetrized geminal power (AGP) extension. The embedding procedure described here allows for the systematic and consistent contraction of the primitive basis set into geminal embedded orbitals (GEOs), with a dramatic reduction of the number of variational parameters necessary to represent the many-body wave function, for a chosen target accuracy. Within the variational Monte Carlo method, the Slater or AGP part is determined by a variational minimization of the energy of the whole system in presence of a flexible and accurate Jastrow factor, representing most of the dynamical electronic correlation. The resulting GEO basis set opens the way for a fully controlled optimization of many-body wave functions in electronic structure calculation of bulk materials, namely, containing a large number of electrons and atoms. We present applications on the water molecule, the volume collapse transition in cerium, and the high-pressure liquid hydrogen.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2015

Finite size scaling with modified boundary conditions

An efficient scheme is introduced for a fast and smooth convergence to the thermodynamic limit with finite size cluster calculations. This is obtained by modifying the energy levels of the non interacting Hamiltonian in a way consistent with the corresponding one particle density of states in the thermodynamic limit. After this modification exact free electron energies are obtained with finite size calculations and for particular fillings that satisfy the so called "closed shell condition". In this case the "sign problem" is particularly mild in the auxiliary field quantum Monte Carlo technique and therefore, with this technique, it is possible to obtain converged energies for the Hubbard model even for $U>0$. We provide a strong numerical evidence that phase separation occurs in the low doping region and moderate $U\lesssim 4t$ regime of this model.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2015

Ab-initio molecular dynamics simulation of liquid water by Quantum Monte Carlo

Although liquid water is ubiquitous in chemical reactions at roots of life and climate on the earth, the prediction of its properties by high-level ab initio molecular dynamics simulations still represents a formidable task for quantum chemistry. In this article we present a room temperature simulation of liquid water based on the potential energy surface obtained by a many-body wave function through quantum Monte Carlo (QMC) methods. The simulated properties are in good agreement with recent neutron scattering and X-ray experiments, particularly concerning the position of the oxygen-oxygen peak in the radial distribution function, at variance of previous Density Functional Theory attempts. Given the excellent performances of QMC on large scale supercomputers, this work opens new perspectives for predictive and reliable ab-initio simulations of complex chemical systems.

physics.chem-ph↗

arXiv2014

Lanczos steps to improve variational wave functions

Gutzwiller-projected fermionic states can be efficiently implemented within quantum Monte Carlo calculations to define extremely accurate variational wave functions for Heisenberg models on frustrated two-dimensional lattices, not only for the ground state but also for low-energy excitations. The application of few Lanczos steps on top of these states further improves their accuracy, allowing calculations on large clusters. In addition, by computing both the energy and its variance, it is possible to obtain reliable estimations of exact results. Here, we report the cases of the frustrated Heisenberg models on square and Kagome lattices.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2014

Distinct metallization and atomization transitions in dense liquid hydrogen

We perform molecular dynamics simulations driven by accurate Quantum Monte Carlo forces on dense liquid hydrogen. Recently it has been reported a complete atomization transition between a mixed-atomic liquid and a completely dissociated fluid in an almost unaccessible pressure range {[\emph{Nat. Commun.} {\bf 5}, 3487 (2014)]}. Here instead, in a much more interesting pressure range, we identify a different transition between the fully molecular liquid and the mixed-atomic fluid at $\sim$ 400 GPa, with numerical evidence supporting its metallic behavior. Therefore we predict that the metallization at finite temperature occurs in this partially dissociated molecular fluid, well before the complete atomization of the liquid. At high temperature this first-order transition becomes a crossover, in very good agreement with the experimental observation. Several systematic tests supporting the quality of our large scale calculations are also reported.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2014

The New Resonating Valence Bond Method for Ab-Initio Electronic Simulations

The Resonating Valence Bond theory of the chemical bond was introduced soon after the discovery of quantum mechanics and has contributed to explain the role of electron correlation within a particularly simple and intuitive approach where the chemical bond between two nearby atoms is described by one or more singlet electron pairs. In this chapter Pauling's resonating valence bond theory of the chemical bond is revisited within a new formulation, introduced by P.W. Anderson after the discovery of High-Tc superconductivity. It is shown that this intuitive picture of electron correlation becomes now practical and efficient, since it allows us to faithfully exploit the locality of the electron correlation, and to describe several new phases of matter, such as Mott insulators, High-Tc superconductors, and spin liquid phases.

physics.comp-ph↗

arXiv2014

Static and dynamical correlation in diradical molecules by Quantum Monte Carlo using the Jastrow Antisymmetrized Geminal Power ansatz

Diradical molecules are essential species involved in many organic and inorganic chemical reactions. The computational study of their electronic structure is often challenging, because a reliable description of the correlation, and in particular of the static one, requires multi-reference techniques. The Jastrow correlated Antisymmetrized Geminal Power (JAGP) is a compact and efficient wave function ansatz, based on the valence-bond representation, which can be used within Quantum Monte Carlo (QMC) approaches. The AGP part can be rewritten in terms of molecular orbitals, obtaining a multi-determinant expansion with zero-seniority number. In the present work we demonstrate the capability of the JAGP ansatz to correctly describe the electronic structure of two diradical prototypes: the orthogonally twisted ethylene, C2H4, and the methylene, CH2, representing respectively a homosymmetric and heterosymmetric system. On the other hand, we show that the simple ansatz of a Jastrow correlated Single Determinant (JSD) wave function is unable to provide an accurate description of the electronic structure in these diradical molecules, both at variational level and, more remarkably, in the fixed-nodes projection schemes showing that a poor description of the static correlation yields an inaccurate nodal surface. The suitability of JAGP to correctly describe diradicals with a computational cost comparable with that of a JSD calculation, in combination with a favorable scalability of QMC algorithms with the system size, opens new perspectives in the ab initio study of large diradical systems, like the transition states in cycloaddition reactions and the thermal isomerization of biological chromophores.

physics.chem-ph↗

arXiv2014

Unexpectedly high pressure for molecular dissociation in liquid hydrogen by a reliable electronic simulation

The study of the high pressure phase diagram of hydrogen has continued with renewed effort for about one century as it remains a fundamental challenge for experimental and theoretical techniques. Here we employ an efficient molecular dynamics based on the quantum Monte Carlo method, which can describe accurately the electronic correlation and treat a large number of hydrogen atoms, allowing a realistic and reliable prediction of thermodynamic roperties. We find that the molecular liquid phase is unexpectedly stable and the transition towards a fully atomic liquid phase occurs at much higher pressure than previously believed. The old standing problem of low temperature atomization is, therefore, still far from experimental reach.

physics.chem-ph↗