Accelerating the density-functional tight-binding method using graphical processing units.

Acceleration of the density-functional tight-binding (DFTB) method on single and multiple graphical processing units (GPUs) was accomplished using the MAGMA linear algebra library. Two major computational bottlenecks of DFTB ground-state calculations were addressed in our implementation: the Hamiltonian matrix diagonalization and the density matrix construction. The code was implemented and benchmarked on two different computer systems: (1) the SUMMIT IBM Power9 supercomputer at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory Leadership Computing Facility with 1-6 NVIDIA Volta V100 GPUs per computer node and (2) an in-house Intel Xeon computer with 1-2 NVIDIA Tesla P100 GPUs.

Theoretical Prediction and Analysis of the UV/Visible Absorption and Emission Spectra of Chiral Carbon Nanorings.

UV/vis absorption and emission spectra of recently synthesized chiral carbon nanorings were simulated using first-principles-based molecular dynamics and time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT). The chiral carbon nanorings are derivatives of the [ n]cycloparaphenylene ([ n]CPP) macrocycles, containing an acene unit such as naphthalene, ([ n]CPPN), anthracene ([ n]CPPA), and tetracene ([ n]CPPT), in addition to n paraphenylene units. In order to study the effect of increasing molecular size on absorption and emission spectra, we investigated the cases where n = 6 and 8.

Light-melt adhesive based on dynamic carbon frameworks in a columnar liquid-crystal phase.

Liquid crystal (LC) provides a suitable platform to exploit structural motions of molecules in a condensed phase. Amplification of the structural changes enables a variety of technologies not only in LC displays but also in other applications. Until very recently, however, a practical use of LCs for removable adhesives has not been explored, although a spontaneous disorganization of LC materials can be easily triggered by light-induced isomerization of photoactive components.

Quantum Dynamics Simulations Reveal Vibronic Effects on the Optical Properties of [n]Cycloparaphenylenes.

The size-dependent ultraviolet/visible photophysical property trends of [n]cycloparaphenylenes ([n]CPPs, n = 6, 8, and 10) are theoretically investigated using quantum dynamics simulations. For geometry optimizations on the ground- and excited-state Born-Oppenheimer potential energy surfaces (PESs), we employ density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent DFT calculations. Harmonic normal-mode analyses are carried out for the electronic ground state at Franck-Condon geometries.

Hybridization of a flexible cyclooctatetraene core and rigid aceneimide wings for multiluminescent flapping π systems.

The hybridization of flexible and rigid π-conjugated frameworks is a potent concept for producing new functional materials. In this article, a series of multifluorescent flapping π systems that combine a flexible cyclooctatetraene (COT) core and rigid aceneimide wings with various π-conjugation lengths has been designed and synthesized, and their structure/properties relationships have been investigated. Whereas these molecules have a V-shaped bent conformation in the ground state, the bent structure changes to a planar conformation in the lowest excited singlet (S1 ) state irrespective of the lengths of the aceneimide wings.

Photochemical double 5-exo cyclization of alkenyl-substituted dithienylacetylenes: efficient synthesis of diarylated dithienofulvalenes.

Smooth and selective: Upon photoirradiation, bis(3-alkenyl-2-thienyl)acetylenes smoothly and selectively undergo double 5-exo-dig cyclization to produce a series of thiophene-fused pentafulvalenes with various aryl substituents. In this fused π-conjugated skeleton, the fused thiophene rings and the aryl substituents significantly modulate the electronic structure of the pentafulvalene skeleton.

A π-conjugated system with flexibility and rigidity that shows environment-dependent RGB luminescence.

We have designed and synthesized a π-conjugated system that consists of a flexible and nonplanar π joint and two emissive rigid and planar wings. This molecular system exhibits respectively red, green, and blue (RGB) emission from a single-component luminophore in different environments, namely in polymer matrix, in solution, and in crystals. The flexible unit gives rise to a dynamic conformational change in the excited state from a nonplanar V-shaped structure to a planar structure, leading to a dual fluorescence of blue and green colors.

Infrared absorption of methanol clusters (CH3OH)n with n = 2-6 recorded with a time-of-flight mass spectrometer using infrared depletion and vacuum-ultraviolet ionization.

We investigated IR spectra in the CH- and OH-stretching regions of size-selected methanol clusters, (CH(3)OH)(n) with n = 2-6, in a pulsed supersonic jet by using the IR-VUV (vacuum-ultraviolet) ionization technique. VUV emission at 118 nm served as the source of ionization in a time-of-flight mass spectrometer. The tunable IR laser emission served as a source of predissociation or excitation before ionization.

Theoretical interpretation of the UV-vis spectrum of the CS2/Cl complex in the spectral region 320-550 nm.

Accurate multireference configuration interaction and time-dependent density functional calculations have been performed to interpret the experimental UV-vis spectrum of the CS(2)/Cl complex in the spectral region 320-550 nm. The molecular structure of the complex responsible for the previously observed UV-vis spectrum is recognized as ClSCS, not ClCS(2). Two low-lying excited states of ClSCS, responsible for its optical absorption, have been identified and analyzed.

The low-lying states of the scandium dimer.

A systematic investigation of low-lying states of Sc(2) using multireference perturbation theory (NEVPT2 and NEVPT3) indicates that the ground state of this system is (5)Sigma(u) (-) with r(e)=2.611 A, omega(e)=241.8 cm(-1), and D(e)=1.

Multireference perturbation theory can predict a false ground state.

Prediction of a false ground state with popular variants of multireference perturbation theory (CASPT2 and MRMP) is reported for a remarkably simple chemical system: the Sc(2) molecule.

Choosing a proper complete active space in calculations for transition metal dimers: ground state of Mn2 revisited.

The potential energy curve of the ground state of Mn(2) has been studied using a systematic sequence of complete active spaces. Deficiencies of the routinely used active space, built from atomic 4s and 3d orbitals, has been identified and discussed. It is shown that an additional sigma(g) orbital, originating from the atomic virtual 4p(z) orbitals, is essential for a proper description of static correlation in the (1)Sigma(g)(+) state of Mn(2).

Intruder states in multireference perturbation theory: the ground state of manganese dimer.

A detailed analysis of a severe intruder state problem in the multistate multireference perturbation theory (MS-MRPT) calculations on the ground state of manganese dimer is presented. An enormous number of detected intruder states (> 5000) do not permit finding even an approximate shape of the X(1)Sigma(g) (+) potential energy curve. The intruder states are explicitly demonstrated to originate from quasidegeneracies in the zeroth-order Hamiltonian spectrum.