A Similarity Transformed Second-order Approximate Coupled Cluster Method for the Excited States: Theory, Implementation, and Benchmark

Abstract: We present a novel and cost-effective approach of using a second similarity transformation of the Hamiltonian to include the missing higher-order terms in the second-order approximate coupled cluster singles and doubles (CC2) model. The performance of the newly developed ST-CC2 model has been investigated for the calculation of excitation energies of valence, Rydberg, and charge-transfer excited states. The method shows significant improvement in the excitation energies of Rydberg and charge-transfer excited states as compared to the conventional CC2 method while retaining the good performance of the latter for the valence excited state. The method retains the charge-transfer separability of the CT excited states, which is a significant advantage over the traditional CC2 method. An MBPT2 variant of the new method is also proposed.