Instability of Hartree-Fock solution

{
  "id": "MLC-T-CHM-005902",
  "term": "Instability of Hartree-Fock solution",
  "field": "Chemistry",
  "definition": "A condition in quantum chemistry where a self-consistent field (SCF) solution obtained from the Hartree-Fock method is not a true minimum on the potential energy surface. This indicates that a lower energy solution exists, often corresponding to a different electronic configuration or spin state. Such instabilities can arise from spin symmetry breaking or spatial symmetry breaking in the molecular orbitals.",
  "subject": "Organic and Biomolecular Chemistry",
  "see_also": [
    "hartree",
    "biradical",
    "ground state",
    "molecular shape"
  ],
  "references": [
    "PAC, 1999, 71, 1919. 'Glossary of terms used in theoretical organic chemistry' on page 1946 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac199971101919)"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/chemistry/instability-of-hartree-fock-solution/"
}