A self-contained and portable density functional theory library for use in Ab Initio quantum chemistry programs
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Updated: Jul 15, 2026

Multiscale Sampling of a Heterogeneous Water/Metal Catalyst Interface using Density Functional Theory and Force-Field Molecular Dynamics
Published on: April 12, 2019
Paweł Sałek1, Andreas Hesselmann
1Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry, The Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden. pawsa@theochem.kth.se
Abstract:
A major unresolved problem of density functional theory is the yet unknown exchange-correlation functional, which leads to a proliferation of its less or more successful approximations. A practical implementation of these numerous functionals can present a substantial challenge particularly if the higher order functional derivatives are required. We present a systematic method of functional implementation. The method allows a clean handling of a large number of functionals in a mutually independent way. We developed an extensive set of automatic test routines to facilitate functional and derivative testing with respect to the implementation correctness and numerical stability. An integral part of the presented solution is a program for automatic code generation from analytical formulas that uses only freely available tools. Code for evaluation of functionals and their first, second, third, and fourth derivatives can be generated, which accelerates the development, implementation, and testing of new functionals.
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