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Riemannian gradient descent for Hartree-Fock theory

arXiv Quantum Physics
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A March 2026 preprint introduces a novel Riemannian optimization framework for Hartree-Fock theory, reformulating it in the Sobolev space H¹ to handle orthonormality constraints geometrically via infinite-dimensional Stiefel and Grassmann manifolds. The work derives explicit Euclidean and Riemannian gradients, tangent-space projections, and retractions using resolvent operators, eliminating distributional formulations while ensuring geometric consistency across discretizations. Two algorithms emerge: Riemannian steepest descent and a preconditioned nonlinear conjugate gradient method with Armijo backtracking and Powell restarts, optimized via kinetic energy operator inversion for physical relevance. Compatibility with adaptive multiwavelet discretizations enables efficient Coulomb convolution evaluations, with numerical tests showing robust convergence—outperforming traditional SCF-DIIS schemes and succeeding from random initial guesses for small molecules. This discretization-independent approach lays groundwork for infinite-dimensional Riemannian methods in quantum chemistry, offering a unified geometric perspective for electronic structure optimization.
Riemannian gradient descent for Hartree-Fock theory

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Quantum Physics arXiv:2603.15870 (quant-ph) [Submitted on 16 Mar 2026] Title:Riemannian gradient descent for Hartree-Fock theory Authors:Evgueni Dinvay View a PDF of the paper titled Riemannian gradient descent for Hartree-Fock theory, by Evgueni Dinvay View PDF HTML (experimental) Abstract:We present a Riemannian optimization framework for Hartree-Fock theory formulated directly in the Sobolev space $H^1$. The orthonormality constraints are interpreted geometrically via infinite-dimensional Stiefel and Grassmann manifolds endowed with the embedded $H^1$ metric. Explicit expressions for Euclidean and Riemannian gradients, tangent-space projections, and retractions are derived using resolvent operators, avoiding distributional formulations. The resulting algorithms include Riemannian steepest descent and a preconditioned nonlinear conjugate gradient method equipped with Armijo backtracking and Powell-type restarts. Particular attention is given to physically motivated preconditioning based on inversion of the kinetic energy operator. The framework is naturally compatible with adaptive multiwavelet discretizations, where Coulomb-type convolutions can be evaluated efficiently. Numerical experiments demonstrate robust convergence and competitive performance compared to conventional SCF-DIIS schemes. In addition, for small molecules the gradient descent method converges from random initial guesses. The proposed formulation provides a geometrically consistent and discretization-independent perspective on electronic structure optimization and offers a foundation for further developments in infinite-dimensional Riemannian methods for quantum chemistry. Subjects: Quantum Physics (quant-ph) Cite as: arXiv:2603.15870 [quant-ph] (or arXiv:2603.15870v1 [quant-ph] for this version) https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2603.15870 Focus to learn more arXiv-issued DOI via DataCite (pending registration) Submission history From: Evgueni Dinvay [view email] [v1] Mon, 16 Mar 2026 19:58:42 UTC (147 KB) Full-text links: Access Paper: View a PDF of the paper titled Riemannian gradient descent for Hartree-Fock theory, by Evgueni DinvayView PDFHTML (experimental)TeX Source view license Current browse context: quant-ph new | recent | 2026-03 References & Citations INSPIRE HEP NASA ADSGoogle Scholar Semantic Scholar export BibTeX citation Loading... BibTeX formatted citation × loading... Data provided by: Bookmark Bibliographic Tools Bibliographic and Citation Tools Bibliographic Explorer Toggle Bibliographic Explorer (What is the Explorer?) Connected Papers Toggle Connected Papers (What is Connected Papers?) Litmaps Toggle Litmaps (What is Litmaps?) scite.ai Toggle scite Smart Citations (What are Smart Citations?) Code, Data, Media Code, Data and Media Associated with this Article alphaXiv Toggle alphaXiv (What is alphaXiv?) Links to Code Toggle CatalyzeX Code Finder for Papers (What is CatalyzeX?) DagsHub Toggle DagsHub (What is DagsHub?) GotitPub Toggle Gotit.pub (What is GotitPub?) Huggingface Toggle Hugging Face (What is Huggingface?) Links to Code Toggle Papers with Code (What is Papers with Code?) ScienceCast Toggle ScienceCast (What is ScienceCast?) Demos Demos Replicate Toggle Replicate (What is Replicate?) Spaces Toggle Hugging Face Spaces (What is Spaces?) Spaces Toggle TXYZ.AI (What is TXYZ.AI?) Related Papers Recommenders and Search Tools Link to Influence Flower Influence Flower (What are Influence Flowers?) Core recommender toggle CORE Recommender (What is CORE?) Author Venue Institution Topic About arXivLabs arXivLabs: experimental projects with community collaborators arXivLabs is a framework that allows collaborators to develop and share new arXiv features directly on our website. Both individuals and organizations that work with arXivLabs have embraced and accepted our values of openness, community, excellence, and user data privacy. arXiv is committed to these values and only works with partners that adhere to them. Have an idea for a project that will add value for arXiv's community? Learn more about arXivLabs. Which authors of this paper are endorsers? | Disable MathJax (What is MathJax?)

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Source: arXiv Quantum Physics