Trajectory-guided configuration interaction simulations of multidimensional quantum dynamics

J Chem Phys. 2012 Feb 7;136(5):054109. doi: 10.1063/1.3681167.

Abstract

We propose an approach to modelling multidimensional quantum systems which uses direct-dynamics trajectories to guide wavefunction propagation. First, trajectory simulations are used to generate a sample of dynamically relevant configurations on the potential energy surface (PES). Second, the sampled configurations are used to construct an n-mode representation of the PES using a greedy algorithm. Finally, the time-dependent Schrödinger equation is solved using a configuration interaction expansion of the wavefunction, with individual basis functions derived directly from the 1-mode contributions to the n-mode PES. This approach is successfully demonstrated by application to a 20-dimensional benchmark problem describing tunnelling in the presence of coupled degrees of freedom.