Analysis of the local-density approximation of density-functional theory

Abstract

In this paper we perform a configuration-space analysis of the local-density approximation (LDA) for the exchange-correlation energy functional of Kohn-Sham density-functional theory in terms of the corresponding average exchange-correlation charge (hole) and energy densities. According to our analysis, the explanation for the quantitative success of the LDA based on the hole charge-conservation sum rule and the assumed consequent cancellation of errors in the spherical averages of the hole is inadequate. The principal conclusion of our work is that the constraint of charge neutrality is a necessary but not sufficient condition for an approximate energy functional to lead to accurate ground-state energies and ionization potentials. The significant additional requirement for the functional is that it must, at least qualitatively, reproduce correctly the structure of the hole as a function of electron position. We perform our calculations within the exchange-only approximation as applied to atoms and jellium metal surfaces. In atoms the Fermi hole is localized about the nucleus; as a consequence the LDA Fermi hole is accurate only for electron positions close to it.