Quantum Information Patterns Between Atoms in a Molecule.

ABSTRACT

Quantum information theory provides a powerful toolbox of descriptors that characterize many-electron systems based on quantum information patterns between open quantum systems. Despite the wealth of insights gained in the con- densed matter community, the use of these descriptors to study interactions between atoms in a molecule remains limited. In this study, we develop a quantum information framework for molecules that characterizes the quantum in- formation patterns between quantum atoms as defined in the Quantum Theory of Atoms in Molecules. We show that quantum information analyses capture key properties of quantum atoms and how they interact with their molec- ular environment. Additionally, we show that the presence of bond critical points can remain invariant despite large changes in the quantum information patterns between the quantum atoms. Our findings indicate that quantum infor- mation theory can shed a new light on molecular electronic structure.