Time-dependent density-functional theory calculations

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VASP offers a powerful module for performing time-dependent density-functional theory (TDDFT) or time-dependent Hartree-Fock (TDHF) calculations in the Casida formulation . This approach can be used for obtaining the frequency-dependent dielectric function with the excitonic effects and can be based on the ground-state electronic structure in the DFT, hybrid-functional or GW approximations.

Solving Casida equations

The algorithm for solving the Casida equation can be selected by setting ALGO = TDHF. This approach is very similar to solving the BSE but differs in the way the screening of the Coulomb potential is approximated. The TDHF approach uses the exact-correlation kernel , whereas BSE requires the from a preceding GW calculation. Thus, in order to perform a TDHF calculation, one has to provide the ground-state orbitals (WAVECAR) and the derivatives of the orbitals with respect to (WAVEDER).

In summary, both TDHF and BSE approaches require a preceding ground-state calculation, however, the TDHF does not need the preceding GW and can be performed with the DFT or hybrid-functional orbitals and energies.

Time-dependent Hartree-Fock

The TDHF calculations can be performed in two steps: the ground-state calculation and the optical absorption calculation. For example, an optical absorption calculation of bulk Si can be performed using a dielectric-dependent hybrid-functional described in Ref. [1].

SYSTEM    = Si
ISMEAR    = 0 
SIGMA     = 0.05
NBANDS    = 16      ! or any larger desired value
ALGO      = D       ! Damped algorithm often required for HF type calculations, ALGO = Normal might work as well
LHFCALC   = .TRUE. 
LMODELHF  = .TRUE. 
AEXX      = 0.083
HFSCREEN  = 1.22
LOPTICS   = .TRUE.  ! can also be done in an additional intermediate step

In the second step, the dielectric function is evaluated by solving the Casida equation

SYSTEM    = Si
ISMEAR    = 0 
SIGMA     = 0.05
NBANDS    = 16     
ALGO      = TDHF
NBANDSO   = 4       ! number of occupied bands
NBANDSV   = 8       ! number of unoccupied bands
LHARTREE  = .TRUE.
LADDER    = .TRUE.
LMODELHF  = .TRUE. 
AEXX      = 0.083
HFSCREEN  = 1.22

THDF calculations can be performed for non-spin-polarized, spin-polarized, and noncollinear cases, as well as the case with spin-orbit coupling. There is, however, one caveat. The local exchange-correlation kernel is approximated by the density-density part only. This makes predictions for spin-polarized systems less accurate than for non-spin-polarized systems.

Time-dependent DFT calculation

If the Fock exchange is not included in the exchange-correlation kernel (AEXX = 0.0), the ladder diagrams are not taken into account. Hence, only the local contributions in are present.

SYSTEM    = Si
ISMEAR    = 0 
SIGMA     = 0.05
NBANDS    = 16     
ALGO      = TDHF
NBANDSO   = 4       ! determines how many occupied bands are used
NBANDSV   = 8       ! determines how many unoccupied (virtual) bands are used
LFXC      = .TRUE.
LADDER    = .FALSE.

In the TDDFT calculation, where the ladder diagrams are not included, the resulting dielectric function lacks the excitonic effects.


VASP tries to use sensible defaults, but it is highly recommended to check the OUTCAR file and make sure that the right bands are included. The tag OMEGAMAX specifies the maximum excitation energy of included electron-hole pairs and the pairs with the one-electron energy difference beyond this limit are not included in the BSE Hamiltonian. Hint: The convergence with respect to NBANDSV and OMEGAMAX should be thoroughly checked as the real part of the dielectric function, as well as the correlation energy, is usually very sensitive to these values, whereas the imaginary part of the dielectric function converges quickly.


The calculated frequency-dependent dielectric function, transition energies and oscillator strength values are stored in the vasprun.xml file.

Calculations beyond Tamm-Dancoff approximation

Calculations beyond Tamm-Dancoff approximation can be performed in the same manner as in the BSE.

Calculations at finite wavevectors

Calculations at finite wavevectors can be performed in the same manner as in the BSE.


References