The applicability of a broken symmetry version of the $G_0W_0$ approximation to the calculation of isotropic exchange coupling constants has been studied. Using a simple H--He--H model system the results show a significant and consistent improvement of the results over both broken symmetry Hartree--Fock and broken symmetry density functional theory. In the case of more realistic bimetallic Cu(II) complexes, inclusion of the $G_0W_0$ correction does not lead to obvious improvement in the results. The discrepancies are explained by improved description of the interactions within the magnetic orbital space upon inclusion of the $G_0W_0$ corrections but deterioration of the description of charge- and spin-polarization effects outside the magnetic orbital space. Overall the results show that computational methods based on the $GW$ method have a potential to improve computational estimates of exchange coupling constants.
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