Density Functional (XC)¶

LDA/GGA/metaGGA¶

LDA

Defines the LDA part of the XC functional and can be any of the following:

Xonly: The pure-exchange electron gas formula. Technically this is identical to the Xalpha form with a value 2/3 for the X-alpha parameter.

Xalpha: the scaled (parameterized) exchange-only formula. When this option is used you may (optionally) specify the X-alpha parameter by typing a numerical value after the string Xalpha (Default: 0.7).

VWN: the parametrization of electron gas data given by Vosko, Wilk and Nusair (ref [1], formula version V). Among the available LDA options this is the more advanced one, including correlation effects to a fair extent.

Stoll: For the VWN or GL variety of the LDA form you may include Stoll’s correction [2] by typing Stoll on the same line, after the main LDA specification. You must not use Stoll’s correction in combination with the Xonly or the Xalpha form for the Local Density functional.

GGA

Specifies the GGA part of the XC Functional. It uses derivatives (gradients) of the charge density. Separate choices can be made for the GGA exchange correction and the GGA correlation correction respectively. Both specifications must be typed (if at all) on the same line, after the GGA subkey.

For the exchange part the options are:

• Becke: the gradient correction proposed in 1988 by Becke [3]
• PW86x: the correction advocated in 1986 by Perdew-Wang [4]
• PW91x: the exchange correction proposed in 1991 by Perdew-Wang [5]
• mPWx: the modified PW91 exchange correction proposed in 1998 by Adamo-Barone [6]
• PBEx: the exchange correction proposed in 1996 by Perdew-Burke-Ernzerhof [7]
• HTBSx: the HTBS exchange functional [8]
• RPBEx: the revised PBE exchange correction proposed in 1999 by Hammer-Hansen-Norskov [9]
• revPBEx: the revised PBE exchange correction proposed in 1998 by Zhang-Yang [10]
• mPBEx: the modified PBE exchange correction proposed in 2002 by Adamo-Barone [11]
• OPTX: the OPTX exchange correction proposed in 2001 by Handy-Cohen [12]

For the correlation part the options are:

• Perdew: the correlation term presented in 1986 by Perdew [13]
• PBEc: the correlation term presented in 1996 by Perdew-Burke-Ernzerhof [7]
• PW91c: the correlation correction of Perdew-Wang (1991), see [5] [14] [15]
• LYP: the Lee-Yang-Parr 1988 correlation correction [16]

Some GGA options define the exchange and correlation parts in one stroke. These are:

• BP86: this is equivalent to Becke + Perdew together
• PW91: this is equivalent to pw91x + pw91c together
• mPW: this is equivalent to mPWx + pw91c together
• PBE: this is equivalent to PBEx + PBEc together
• HTBS: this is equivalent to HTBSx + PBEc together
• RPBE: this is equivalent to RPBEx + PBEc together
• revPBE: this is equivalent to revPBEx + PBEc together
• mPBE: this is equivalent to mPBEx + PBEc together
• BLYP: this is equivalent to Becke (exchange) + LYP (correlation)
• OLYP: this is equivalent to OPTX (exchange) + LYP (correlation)
• OPBE: this is equivalent to OPTX (exchange) + PBEc (correlation) [17]

DiracGGA

(Expert option!) This key handles which XC functional is used during the Dirac calculations of the reference atoms. A string is expected which is not restricted to names of GGAs but can be LDA-like functionals, too.

Note: In some cases using a GGA functional leads to slow convergence of matrix elements of the kinetic energy operator w. r. t. the Accuracy parameter. Then one can use the LDA potential for the calculation of the reference atom instead.

MetaGGA

Key to select the evaluation of a meta-GGA. A byproduct of this option is that the bonding energies of all known functionals are printed (using the same density). Meta-GGA calculations can be time consuming, especially when active during the SCF.

Self consistency of the meta-GGA is implemented as suggested by Neuman, Nobes, and Handy [18].

The available functionals of this type are:

• TPSS: The 2003 meta-GGA [19]
• M06L: The meta-GGA as developed by the Minesota group [20]
• revTPSS: The 2009 revised meta-GGA [21]
• MVS: Functional by Sun-Perdew-Ruzsinszky [22]
• MS0: Functional by Sun et al. [23]
• MS1: Functional by Sun et al. [24]
• MS2: Functional by Sun et al. [24]
• SCAN: Functional by Sun et al. [25]
• TASKxc: by Aschebrock et al. Intended for band gaps and charge transfer systems.

Note: For Meta-GGA XC functionals, it is recommended to use small or none frozen core (the frozen orbitals are computed using LDA and not the selected Meta-GGA)

Dispersion Correction¶

BAND supports the new D4(EEQ) as well as the older D3 and D3-BJ dispersion corrections from the group of Stefan Grimme:

Model Potentials¶

Model

Some functionals give only a potential and have no energy expression. We call such functionals model potentials. In BAND the following model potentials are available:

LB94

With this model the asymptotically correct potential of van Leeuwen and Baerends is invoked [33].

TB-mBJ

This model potential can be used to correct for the band gap problem with GGAs for bulk systems [34]. This potential depends on a c-factor for which there is a density dependent automatic expression. However you can override the automatic value by specifying XC%TB_mBJCFactor cfac. In principle: the bigger the value the larger the gap. KTB-mBJ/JTS-mTB-mBJ are variations of TB-mBJ. The formula for C contains three parameters: A,B, and E. The logic is as follows

potential	A	B	E
TB-mBJ [34]	-0.012	1.023	0.5
KTB-mBJ [35]	0.267	0.656	1.0
JTS-mTB-mBJ [36]	0.4	1.0	0.5

The three parameters (A,B, and E) can be user-defined set as follows:

XC
   Model TB_mBJ
   TB_mBJAFactor valA
   TB_mBJBFactor valB
   TB_mBJEFactor valE
End

GLLB-SC

This functional uses a model for the exchange response potential (based on J. Krieger, Y. Li and G. Iafrate response potential [38]) from which the derivative discontinuity follows [37]. This is an accurate functional for band gap predictions and Electric Field Gradient calculations. It is also a fast method and a very good compromise between accuracy and computational cost. This functional is composed of the GLLB exchange response potential and the PBESOL exchange hole and the correlation potential [37].

BGLLB-VWN

This functional is a variation of the GLLB-SC functional using the B88 exchange hole potential and the VWN correlation potential. This functional gives good results for Group I-VII and II-VI semi conductors.

BGLLB-LYP

This functional is a variation of the GLLB-SC functional using the B88 exchange hole potential and the LYP correlation potential. This functional gives good results for large band gap insulators.

One can change the K parameter for the GLLB functionals with the GLLBKParameter key:

XC
   Model [GLLB-SC|BGLLB-VWN|BGLLB-LYP]
   GLLBKParameter val
End

The default value is K=0.382 (value obtained from the electron gas model in the original publication).

Non-Collinear Approach¶

SpinOrbitMagnetization

(Default=CollinearZ) Most XC functionals have as one ingredient the spin polarization. Normally the direction of the spin quantization axis is arbitrary and conveniently chosen to be the z-axis. However, in a spin-orbit calculation the direction matters, and it is arbitrary to put the z-component of the magnetization vector into the XC functional. It is also possible to plug the size of the magnetization vector into the XC functional. This is called the non-collinear approach. There is also the exotic option to choose the quantization axis along the x or y axis. To summarize, the value NonCollinear invokes the non-collinear method. The other three option CollinearX, CollinearY and CollinearZ causes either the x, y, or z component to be used as spin polarization for the XC functional.

LibXC Library Integration¶

LibXC functional

LibXC is a library of approximate XC functionals, see Ref. [39]. Version 5.1.2 of LibXC is used.. See the LibXC website for the complete list of functionals: http://www.tddft.org/programs/Libxc.

The following functionals can be evaluated with LibXC (incomplete list):

• LDA: LDA, PW92, TETER93
• GGA: AM05, BGCP, B97-GGA1, B97-K, BLYP, BP86, EDF1, GAM, HCTH-93, HCTH-120, HCTH-147, HCTH-407, HCTH-407P, HCTH-P14, PBEINT, HTBS, KT2, MOHLYP, MOHLYP2, MPBE, MPW, N12, OLYP, PBE, PBEINT, PBESOL, PW91, Q2D, SOGGA, SOGGA11, TH-FL, TH-FC, TH-FCFO, TH-FCO, TH1, TH2, TH3, TH4, VV10, XLYP, XPBE, HLE16
• MetaGGA: M06-L, M11-L, MN12-L, MS0, MS1, MS2, MVS, PKZB, TPSS, HLE17, rSCAN, r2SCAN
• Hybrids (only for non-periodic systems): B1LYP, B1PW91, B1WC, B3LYP, B3LYP*, B3LYP5, B3LYP5, B3P86, B3PW91, B97, B97-1 B97-2, B97-3, BHANDH, BHANDHLYP, EDF2, MB3LYP-RC04, MPW1K, MPW1PW, MPW3LYP, MPW3PW, MPWLYP1M, O3LYP, OPBE, PBE0, PBE0-13, REVB3LYP, REVPBE, RPBE, SB98-1A, SB98-1B, SB98-1C, SB98-2A, SB98-2B, SB98-2C, SOGGA11-X, SSB, SSB-D, X3LYP
• MetaHybrids (only for non-periodic systems): B86B95, B88B95, BB1K, M05, M05-2X, M06, M06-2X, M06-HF, M08-HX, M08-SO, MPW1B95, MPWB1K, MS2H, MVSH, PW6B95, PW86B95, PWB6K, REVTPSSH, TPSSH, X1B95, XB1K
• Range-separated (for periodic systems, only short range-separated functionals can be used, see Range-separated hybrid functionals): CAM-B3LYP, CAMY-B3LYP, HJS-PBE, HJS-PBESOL, HJS-B97X, HSE03, HSE06, LRC_WPBE, LRC_WPBEH, LCY-BLYP, LCY-PBE, M11, MN12-SX, N12-SX, TUNED-CAM-B3LYP, WB97, WB97X

Note that BAND can not calculate VV10 dependent LibXC functionals, like VV10, LC-VV10, B97M-V, WB97X-V.

Example usage for the MVS functional:

XC
  LibXC MVS
End

Notes:

• All electron basis sets should be used (see CORE NONE in section Basis set).
• For periodic systems only short range-separated functionals can be used (see Range-separated hybrid functionals)
• In case of LibXC the output of the BAND calculation will give the reference for the used functional, see also the LibXC website http://www.tddft.org/programs/Libxc.
• Do not use any of the subkeys LDA, GGA, METAGGA, MODEL in combination with the subkey LIBXC.
• One can use the DISPERSION key icw LIBXC. For a selected number of functionals the optimized dispersion parameters will be used automatically, please check the output in that case.

Range-separated hybrid functionals¶

Short range-separated hybrid functionals, like the HSE03 functional [40], can be useful for prediction of more accurate band gaps compared to GGAs. These must be specified via the LibXC key

XC
   LibXC functional {omega=value}
End

functional

The functional to be used. (Incomplete) list of available functionals: HSE06, HSE03, HJS-B97X, HJS-PBE and HJS-PBESOL (See the LibXC website for a complete list of available functionals).

omega

Optional. You can optionally specify the switching parameter omega of the range-separated hybrid. Only possible for the HSE03 and HSE06 functionals (See [40]).

Notes:

• Hybrid functionals can only be used in combination with all-electron basis sets (see CORE NONE in section Basis set).
• The Hartree-Fock exchange matrix is calculated through a procedure known as Resolution of the Identity (RI). See RIHartreeFock key.
• Regular hybrids (such as B3LYP) and long range-separated hybrids (such as CAM-B3LYP) cannot be used in periodic boundary conditions calculations (they can only be used for non-periodic systems).
• There is some confusion in the scientific literature about the value of the switching parameter \(\omega\) for the HSE functionals. In LibXC, and therefore in BAND, the HSE03 functional uses \(\omega=0.106066\) while the HSE06 functional uses \(\omega=0.11\).

Usage example:

XC
   LibXC HSE06 omega=0.1
End

Defaults and special cases¶

• If the XC key is not used, the program will apply only the Local Density Approximation (no GGA terms). The chosen LDA form is then VWN.
• If only a GGA part is specified, omitting the LDA subkey, the LDA part defaults to VWN, except when the LYP correlation correction is used: in that case the LDA default is Xonly: pure exchange.
• The reason for this is that the LYP formulas assume the pure-exchange LDA form, while for instance the Perdew-86 correlation correction is a correction to a correlated LDA form. The precise form of this correlated LDA form assumed in the Perdew-86 correlation correction is not available as an option in ADF but the VWN formulas are fairly close to it.
• Be aware that typing only the subkey LDA, without an argument, will activate the VWN form (also if LYP is specified in the GGA part).

GGA+U¶

A special way to treat correlation is with so-called LDA+U, or GGA+U calculations. It is intended to solve the band gap problem of traditional DFT, the problem being an underestimation of band gaps for transition-metal complexes. A Hubbard like term is added to the normal Hamiltonian, to model on-site interactions. In its very simplest form it depends on only one parameter, U, and this is the way it has been implemented in BAND. The energy expression is equation (11) in the work of Cococcioni [42]. See also the review article [41].

HubbardU
   Enabled Yes/No
   LValue string
   UValue string
   PrintOccupations Yes/No
End

HubbardU

Type:	Block
Description:	Options for Hubbard-corrected DFT calculations.

Enabled

Type:	Bool
Default value:	No
Description:	Whether or not to apply the Hubbard Hamiltonian

LValue

Type:	String
Default value:
Description:	For each atom type specify the l value (0 - s orbitals, 1 - p orbitals, 2 - d orbitals). A negative value is interpreted as no l-value.

UValue

Type:	String
Default value:
Description:	For each atom type specify the U value (in atomic units). A value of 0.0 is interpreted as no U.

PrintOccupations

Type:	Bool
Default value:	Yes
Description:	Whether or not to print the occupations during the SCF.

An example to apply LDA+U to the d-orbitals of NiO looks like:

...
Atoms
   Ni 0.000  0.000  0.000
   O 2.085  2.085  2.085
End
...

...
HubbardU
   printOccupations true
   Enabled          true
   uvalue           0.3 0.0
   lvalue           2   -1
End
...

OEP¶

(Expert options) When you are using a meta-GGA you are by default using a generalized Kohn-Sham method. However, it is possible to calculate a local potential, as is required for a strict Kohn-Sham calculation, via OEP, (see [43]).

The main options are controlled with the MetaGGA subkey of the XC block if OEP is present.

XC
   [...]
   MetaGGA GGA OEP {approximation} {Fit} {Potential}
   [...]
End

GGA

specifies the name of the used meta-GGA. In combination with OEP only PBE, TPSS, MVS, MS0, MS1, MS2, and SCAN can be used!

approximation

(Default: KLI) There are three flavors to approximate the OEP: KLI, Slater, and ELP

Fit

By adding the string Fit on this line, one uses the fitted density instead of the exact density for the evaluation.

Potential

If not specified, only the tau-dependent part of the OEP is evaluated and used. By adding the string Potential in addition the tau-independent part is added to the XC potential. (This is needed e.g. for plotting the ‘vxc’)

With the following subkeys of the XC blockkey you have extra control over the iterative OEP evaluation:

MGGAOEPMaxIter

(Default: 30) defines the maximum number of cycles for the iterative OEP evaluation.

MGGAOEPConvergence

(Default: 1E-6) defines convergence criterion for OEP evaluation.

MGGAOEPWaitIter

(Default: 0) defines the number of SCF cycles with the regular meta-GGA before switching to the OEP scheme.

MGGAOEPMaxAbortIter

(Default: 0) defines number of cycles for which the error is allowed to increase before the calculation is aborted. Here, zero means: do never abort.

MGGAOEPMaxErrorIncrease

(Default: 0.0) defines the maximum rate of increasing error before the calculation is aborted. Here, zero means: do never abort.

An example for an OEP metaGGA calculation

XC
   MetaGGA MVS OEP
End

Note that a very fine Becke grid is needed.

BeckeGrid
   Quality USER
   UserRadMulFactor 20.0
   UserCoreL 11
   UserInter1L 13
   UserInter2L 21
   UserExterL 31
   UserExterLBoost 35
 End

Note also: the gaps are typically not closer to experiment, and the calculations are more expensive. This option is mainly about academic interest.

DFT-1/2¶

The DFT-1/2 method due to Slater has been extended by Ferreira (PRB,78,125116,2008) to address the band gap problem. DFT-1/2 can be used in combination with any XC functional (this method is also referred to as LDA-1/2 or GGA-1/2, depending on the functional used).

The physical picture is that the hole is localized having substantial self energy. Adding an electron to the solid is assumed to go to a very delocalized state with little or no self energy. The method amounts to adding attractive spherical potentials at atomic sites and optimizing the screening parameter for maximal band gap, and can be used on top of any functional, relativistic option and spin option. From this viewpoint the only freedom in the method is the list of active atom types, the ones for which we will add the potential and optimize the gap. The l-dependent potential option from Ferreira is currently not supported.

The simplest approach is to optimize all the atom types. However, one can also look at the character of the top of the valence band, and determine which atoms are contributing to the PDOS there. This can be done by hand by using the bandstructure GUI module. In band there is an option to analyze this automatically, see the Prepare=true sub option.

XC
   DFTHalf
      ActiveAtomType
         AtomType string
         IonicCharge float
         ScreeningCutOffs float_list
      End
      Enabled Yes/No
      Prepare Yes/No
      SelfConsistent Yes/No
   End
End

XC

DFTHalf

Type:

Block

Description:

DFT-1/2 method for band gaps. See PRB vol 78,125116 2008. This method can be used in combination with any functional. For each active atom type (see ActiveAtomType) Band will perform SCF calculations at different screening cut-off values (see ScreeningCutOffs) and pick the cut-off value that maximizes the band gap. If multiple atom types are active, the screening cut-off optimizations are done one type at the time (in the same order as the ActiveAtomType blocks appear in the input).

ActiveAtomType

Type:	Block
Recurring:	True
Description:	Use the DFT-1/2 method for the atom-type specified in this block.

AtomType

Type:	String
Description:	Atom-type to use. You can activate all atom-types by specifying ‘All’.

IonicCharge

Type:	Float
Default value:	0.5
Description:	The amount of charge to be removed from the atomic HOMO.

ScreeningCutOffs

Type:	Float List
Default value:	[0.0, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0, 5.0]
Unit:	Bohr
Description:	List of screening cut-offs (to screen the asymptotic IonicCharge/r potential). Band will loop over these values and find the cut-off that maximizes the band-gap. If only one number is provided, Band will simply use that value.

Enabled

Type:	Bool
Default value:	No
GUI name:	Use method
Description:	Whether the DFT-1/2 method will be used.

Prepare

Type:	Bool
Default value:	No
Description:	Analyze the band structure to determine reasonable settings for an DFT-1/2 calculation. If this is possible the list of active atom types is written to the output. This can be used in a next run as the values for ActiveAtomType. The DFTHalf%Enabled key should be set to false

SelfConsistent

Type:	Bool
Default value:	Yes
Description:	Apply the extra potential during the SCF, or only afterwards. Applying DFT-1/2 only post SCF increases the band gap, compared to the self-consistent one.

Here are some results showing that LDA-1/2 can work quite well, but that the TB-mBJ functional works better for this set.

References