instability of Hartree–Fock solution

https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.IT07056
Existence of additional solutions to the equations of the @H02747@–Fock method occurring usually in the case when potential energy surfaces of different electronic states are drawn close together. Within the spin-restricted @H02747@–Fock method (RHF), singlet and triplet instabilities are distinguished. The former involves the existence of another solution with lower energy and the electron distribution of lower symmetry. It may be regarded as an indication that the initially assumed @MT06972@ needs correction. The triplet instability involves rejection of the condition of double occupancy of molecular orbitals and thus transition to the spin-unrestricted @H02747@–Fock method (UHF). The triplet instability is a necessary, but insufficient, condition for the conclusion as to the @B00671@ character of the @G02704@ of a given system.
Source:
PAC, 1999, 71, 1919. (Glossary of terms used in theoretical organic chemistry) on page 1946 [Terms] [Paper]