Multi-reference approach to the computation of double core-hole spectra.

Double Core-Hole (DCH) states of small molecules are assessed with the restricted active space self-consistent field and multi-state restricted active space perturbation theory of second order approximations. To ensure an unbiased description of the relaxation and correlation effects on the DCH states, the neutral ground-state and DCH wave functions are optimized separately, whereas the spectral intensities are computed with a biorthonormalized set of molecular orbitals within the state-interaction approximation. Accurate shake-up satellite binding energies and intensities of double-core-ionized states (K) are obtained for HO, N, CO, and CH (n = 1-3). The results are analyzed in detail and show excellent agreement with recent theoretical and experimental data. The K shake-up spectra of HO and CH molecules are here completely characterized for the first time.