Toward Efficient and Unified Treatment of Static and Dynamic Correlations in Generalized Kohn–Sham Density Functional Theory

Abstract

Accurate description of the static correlation poses a persistent challenge in electronic structure theory, particularly when it has to be concurrently considered with the dynamic correlation. We develop here a method in the generalized Kohn–Sham density functional theory (DFT) framework, named R-xDH7-SCC15, which achieves an unprecedented accuracy in capturing the static correlation, while maintaining a good description of the dynamic correlation on par with the state-of-the-art DFT and wave function theory methods, all grounded in the same single-reference black-box methodology. Central to R-xDH7-SCC15 is a general-purpose static correlation correction (SCC) model applied to the renormalized XYG3-type doubly hybrid method (R-xDH7). The SCC model development involves a hybrid machine learning strategy that integrates symbolic regression with nonlinear parameter optimization, aiming to achieve a balance between generalization capability, numerical accuracy, and interpretability. Extensive benchmark studies confirm the robustness and broad applicability of R-xDH7-SCC15 across a diverse array of main-group chemical scenarios. Notably, it displays exceptional aptitude in accurately characterizing intricate reaction kinetics and dynamic processes in regions distant from equilibrium, where the influence of static correlation is most profound. Its capability to consistently and efficiently predict the whole energy profiles, activation barriers, and reaction pathways within a user-friendly “black-box” framework represents an important advance in the field of electronic structure theory.