Quantum Mechanics Workshop - June 9-10

The Quantum Mechanics (QM) workshop is designed to teach the participant how to use the quantum chemistry codes Gaussian 16 and ORCA to model the electronic structure of small molecules ( < 300 atoms ) and the theory behind the calculations. It is offered once per year in the summer.
Speaker: Dr. James MaoDates and Times: June 9-10: 10:00 am-noon, 1:00-3:00pm
Location: Blocker Rm 220 map
Cost: Free
Prerequisites:
- Basic linux and physical chemistry knowledge
You will need to bring a laptop to participate in the hands-on sessions. Power will be available in the tables.
You will not need to install special software on your laptop but you will need a modern web browser.
Google Chrome (recommended), Firefox, Edge, etc Mac users, Safari may not work.
Agenda (Subject to Change)
Session 1 - Monday, June 9, 2025 - 10 am - noon
- Lecture 1
- Geometry Optimizations (minima vs 1st order saddle point)
- Frequency Calculations
- Intrinsic Reaction Coordinate (IRC) Calcations
- Symmetry
- Hands-on exercise 1
- Introduction to Gaussian 16, ORCA, GaussView, and Molden
- Geometry Optimization and Frequency Calculations
Session 2 - Monday, June 9, 2024, 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
- Lecture 2
- Hartree Fock Theory, Ab initio levels of theory (HF, MPx (x=2,3,4...), CC, CI, CASSCF)
- Basis Sets
- Effective Core Potentials (ECP)
- Hands-on exercise 2
- HF through CCSD(T) optimizations
- Transition State Calculation
- Use of non-standard basis set
Session 3 - Tuesday, June 10, 2025 - 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
- Lecture 3
- Density Functional Theory
- Excited State Calcations (ZINDO, CIS, TD-DFT, EOM-CCSD)
- Hands-on exercise 3
- DFT Optimization
- Excited State Calculation (ZINDO, CIS, TD-DFT)
Session 4 - Tuesday, June 10, 2025 - 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
- Lecture 4
- Charge Analysis
- Implicit Solvation
- Hands-on exercise 4
- Natural Bond Order (NBO) analysis
- Implicit and Explicit Solvation Calculations
