Two-component density functional theory for muonic molecules: Inclusion of the electron-positive muon correlation functional

TL;DR

This paper introduces a two-component density functional theory (TC-DFT) for muonic molecules, incorporating a new electron-positive muon correlation functional, enabling accurate predictions of muon binding sites and vibrational energies.

Contribution

The paper develops and implements a novel TC-DFT approach with a new electron-positive muon correlation functional for the first time.

Findings

Accurately predicts muon binding sites in molecules

Reproduces muon zero-point vibrational energies effectively

Improves muonic density calculations over previous methods

Abstract

It is well-known experimentally that the positively-charged muon and the muonium atom may bind to molecules and solids, and through muon$'$s magnetic interaction with unpaired electrons, valuable information on the local environment surrounding the muon is deduced. Theoretical understanding of the structure and properties of resulting muonic species requires accurate and efficient quantum mechanical computational methodologies. In this paper the two-component density functional theory, TC-DFT, as a first principles method, which treats electrons and the positive muon on an equal footing as quantum particles, is introduced and implemented computationally. The main ingredient of this theory, apart from the electronic exchange-correlation functional, is the electron-positive muon correlation functional which is foreign to the purely electronic DFT. A Wigner-type local electron-positive muon correlation functional, termed e$\mu$c-1, is proposed in this paper and its capability is demonstrated through its computational application to a benchmark set of muonic organic molecules. The TC-DFT equations containing e$\mu$c-1 are not only capable of predicting the muon$'$s binding site correctly but they also reproduce muon$'$s zero-point vibrational energies and the muonic densities much more accurately than the TC-DFT equations lacking e$\mu$c-1. Thus, this study set the stage for developing accurate electron-positive muon functionals, which can be used within the context of the TC-DFT to elucidate the intricate interaction of the positive muon with complex molecular systems.