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SF-TDDFT

Spin-flip TDDFT uses a high-spin open-shell reference and [tdhf] type=sf. It is useful for accessing low-spin target states from a high-spin reference. MRSF-TDDFT is the recommended OpenQP route when the mixed-reference correction is needed to reduce spin contamination and to describe multiconfigurational ground-state surfaces.

In Python scripts, SF-TDDFT is a theory choice. Select the calculation type separately with job.workflow.* only when you need a non-energy workflow.

.oqp uses response roots

The spin character of an SF root is not known before diagonalization. State-specific .oqp input must therefore use root=N, for example:

sf(nstate=3)/bhhlyp/6-31g*
grad(root=1)
geom="h2o.xyz"

Do not write an S/T label or omit the root on an SF state-specific driver.

Energy

.oqp:

sf(nstate=3)/bhhlyp/6-31g*
energy
geom="h2o.xyz"

Python:

from oqp.openqp import OpenQP

job = OpenQP("h2o_sf", silent=1)
job.molecule(geometry="water", charge=0)
job.theory.sf_tddft(functional="bhhlyp", basis="6-31g*", nstate=3)

mol = job.run()
print("SF-TDDFT energies:", mol.get_td_energies())

Legacy .inp:

[input]
runtype=energy
method=tdhf
functional=bhhlyp
basis=6-31g*

[scf]
type=rohf
multiplicity=3

[tdhf]
type=sf
nstate=3

Runnable .oqp: examples/SF-TDDFT/H2O_BHHLYP-SFTDDFT_ENERGY.oqp. The same-stem .inp file is retained for legacy use.

Gradient

In SF-TDDFT, root 1 means the lowest spin-flip target state, not the first ordinary TDDFT excited state.

.oqp:

sf(nstate=3)/bhhlyp/6-31g*
grad(root=3)
geom="h2o.xyz"

Python:

from oqp.openqp import OpenQP

job = OpenQP("h2o_sf_grad", silent=1)
job.molecule(geometry="water", charge=0)
job.theory.sf_tddft(functional="bhhlyp", basis="6-31g*", nstate=3)
job.workflow.gradient(state=3)

mol = job.run()
gradient = mol.get_grad()

Legacy .inp:

[input]
runtype=grad
method=tdhf
functional=bhhlyp
basis=6-31g*

[scf]
type=rohf
multiplicity=3

[tdhf]
type=sf
nstate=3

[properties]
grad=3

Runnable .oqp: examples/SF-TDDFT/H2O_BHHLYP-SFTDDFT_GRADIENT.oqp. The same-stem .inp file is retained for legacy use.

Notes

  • SF-TDDFT currently uses an ROHF high-spin reference in the documented production path.
  • [tdhf] nstate must include the highest spin-flip state requested by a gradient or follow-up workflow.
  • For the mixed-reference correction and OpenQP's main multistate workflow, use MRSF-TDDFT.