Wave functions of helium clusters

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Abstract
The ground and several l=0 breathing mode vibrational excited state wave functions of HeN clusters are determined for N=3–5, 20, 70, and 240, using the variational Monte Carlo method. These wave functions incorporate one‐, two‐, and three‐particle correlation effects and give binding energies, density profiles, and vibrational excitation energies accurately. The larger clusters have liquid‐like structure, characterized by a pair distribution function showing approximately two coordination shells. The smallest clusters (N=3, 4) have extensively delocalized structures, which on average are equilateral triangular and tetrahedral, respectively. The N=5 cluster has a totally symmetric average structure, which can only be described in terms of a quantum liquid. No molecular structure, whether rigid or floppy can be assigned in this case. The relative importance of various correlation effects in clusters of different sizes is analyzed and discussed. These wave functions are completely analytical and are convenient as importance functions in diffusion and Green’s function Monte Carlo calculations.