Broken symmetry in density-functional theory: Analysis and cure

We present a detailed analysis of the broken-symmetry mean-field solutions using a four-electron rectangular quantum dot as a model system. Comparisons of the density-functional theory predictions with the exact ones show that the symmetry-breaking results from the single-configuration wave function used in the mean-field approach. As a general cure we present a scheme that systematically incorporates several configurations into the density-functional theory and restores the symmetry. This cure is easily applicable to any density-functional approach.