Hydrodynamic approach to time-dependent density functional theory; Response properties of metal clusters

Performing electronic structure calculations for large systems, such as nan oparticles or metal clusters, via orbital based Hartree-Fock or Kohn-Sham t heories is computationally demanding. To study such systems, therefore, we have taken recourse to the hydrodynamic approach to time-dependent density- functional theory. In this paper we develop a variation-perturbation method within this theory in terms of the particle and current densities of a sys tem. We then apply this to study the linear and nonlinear response properti es of alkali metal clusters within the spherical jellium background model. (C) 2000 American Institute of Physics. [S0021-9606(00)30638-9].