Fock matrix dynamics

by Pulay, P.; Fogarasi, G.

An efficient method is suggested for direct ab initio Born-Oppenheimer molecular dynamics. It is based on extrapolating the Fock matrices from previous time steps to provide a start for the SCF procedure. Several polynomial extrapolation schemes are compared; low-degree schemes work best. SCF convergence can be achieved in 2-3, sometimes less than two cycles. We have identified a phenomenon, hysteresis, a violation of the energy conservation and reversibility, due to systematic errors arising from incomplete SCF convergence. It can be eliminated by rescaling the velocities. Examples include water clusters and hydrated halogen ions, running simulations for several picoseconds.

Journal
Chemical Physics Letters
Volume
386
Issue
4-6
Year
2004
Start Page
272-278
URL
https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cplett.2004.01.069
ISBN/ISSN
1873-4448; 0009-2614
DOI
10.1016/j.cplett.2004.01.069