Most of the variational Monte Carlo applications on quantum chemistry probl
ems rely on variance-optimized wave functions. Recently, M. Snajdr and S. M
. Rothstein, [J. Chem. Phys. 112, 4935 (2000)] have concluded that energy o
ptimization allows one to obtain wave functions that provide better values
for a wide variety of ground state properties. In this work we study the qu
ality of energy-optimized wave functions obtained by using the methodology
of Lin, Zhang, and Rappe [J. Chem. Phys. 112, 2650 (2000)], as compared wit
h variance-optimized ones for He to Ne atoms. In order to assess this probl
em we calculate the energy and some other selected properties. The accuracy
and performance of the energy-optimization method is studied. A comparison
of properties calculated with energy-optimized wave functions to those exi
sting in the literature and obtained by means of variance-optimized wave fu
nctions shows a better performance of the former. (C) 2001 American Institu
te of Physics.