# How to calculate the Fock matrix in the molecular orbital basis PySCF?

I am interested in calculating the Fock matrix in the molecular orbital basis with PySCF, though I am not clear on the methodology behind this task.

In my attempt, I use the following script (for the example H$$_{2}$$ molecule):

from pyscf import gto, scf
geometry = '''
H   0.000   0.000   0.000
H   0.000   0.000   0.740
'''
mol = gto.Mole()
mol.atom = geometry
mol.basis = '3-21g'
mol.build()
​
mf = scf.RHF(mol)
mf.scf()
​
Fao = mf.get_fock()
Fmo = mf.mo_coeff.T @ Fao @ mf.mo_coeff
​
print('F_mo')
print(Fmo)


In this method, I first calculate the molecular mean-field. I then do matrix multiplication with the molecular coefficient transpose matrix (mf.mo_coeff.T), the Fock matrix in the atomic basis (Fao) and the molecular orbital coefficients (mf.mo_coeff).

The resulting off-diagonal matrix elements are essentially zero for the H$$_{2}$$ molecule and other larger systems taken to 10 decimal places (CH$$_{4}$$, NH$$_{3}$$, H$$_{2}$$O). This has confused me: I have seen other Fock matrices in the molecular orbital basis with off-diagonal elements present.

I am therefore looking for confirmation of my method, and if there is a better way of doing this task?

• The fock matrix should be diagonal. The diagonal elements are the orbital energies, no? Jul 16 '20 at 21:55
• As Cody said, the MO Fock matrix is always diagonal. The MOs are the eigenvectors of the Fock matrix.
– Tyberius
Jul 16 '20 at 23:54
• I think Cody or Tyberius can convert their comment into an answer and we can mark this question as "solved". Unless you want to show us the example to which you refer when you say: "I have seen other Fock matrices in the molecular orbital basis with off-diagonal elements present." Jul 17 '20 at 3:47