Decoupled Hartree--Fock methods. I. Calculations for atoms with orthogonalized orbitals

Abstract By a proper approximation of the interaction term in a many‐electron Hamiltonian the Hartree‐Fock equations are decoupled. Making use of this simplification one obtains a good initial guess for the wave function with minimal computational work. Refining the procedure, the exact HF limit can be achieved. Total energies, ionization potentials and excitation energies for light atoms are calculated.