Hartree-Fock calculation for the electronic structure of H+3 using numerically optimized orbitals

The Hartree-Fock wave functions for the ground state of the H2 molecule and the H+3 molecular ion are computed using radial orbitals that are numerically optimized. It is shown that these orbitals yield results comparable in accuracy to those obtained using much larger bases of Gaussian orbitals. As in previous calculations, the equilibrium geometry for H+3 is found to be that of an equilateral triangle, with an interatomic spacing of 1.64a0.