Time-independent eigenstate-free calculation of vibronic spectra beyond the harmonic approximation

The calculation of vibronic spectra and resonance Raman intensities can be performed on the basis of the Raman wavefunction (RWF) formalism. In general, the well-known sum-over-states (SOS) and time-dependent methods can be applied for calculating the RWF. We present an alternative route in which the RWF is determined pointwise in a spectral range on the basis of the inhomogeneous Schrödinger equation using an iterative subspace method, in which explicit state-by-state calculations of vibrational eigenstates are bypassed. We study this approach within the framework of vibrational configuration interaction theory in conjunction with high-level electronic structure calculations for the multidimensional Born-Oppenheimer potential energy surface. The method benefits from an implicit account of interference effects between vibrational states, so that its computational cost correlates with the required resolution in the spectra. The accuracy and efficiency of the method with respect to comparable SOS calculations are tested for the simulation of the photoelectron spectra of ClO2, HS2 (-), ZnOH(-), and Zn(H2O)(+).