7.2 Uncorrelated Wave Function Methods

7.2.2 Random Phase Approximation (RPA)

The Random Phase Approximation (RPA),94, 341 also known as time-dependent Hartree-Fock (TD-HF) theory, is an alternative to CIS for uncorrelated calculations of excited states. It offers some advantages for computing oscillator strengths, e.g., exact satisfaction of the Thomas-Reike-Kuhn sum rule,647 and is roughly comparable in accuracy to CIS for singlet excitation energies, but is inferior for triplet states. RPA energies are non-variational, and in moving around on excited-state potential energy surfaces, this method can occasionally encounter singularities that prevent numerical solution of the underlying equations,181 whereas such singularities are mathematically impossible in CIS calculations.