Detailed electronic properties of cluster models of superconducting cuprate
s have been determined by ab initio quantum chemistry. All near-degeneracy
effects are included explicitly in the wave function description; A semi-qu
antitative understanding of a low-dispersive 'oxygen metal' band, attenuate
d by lattice vibrations, and coupled to an antiferromagnetic background in
the case of the high-T-c SC materials, is generalized to also include colos
sal magneto-resistance in the manganites. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. Al
l rights reserved.