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GeoOpt

This page gives hints on how to perform a geometry optimization with the ABINIT package.

Introduction

Different algorithms (Broyden; modified Broyden; Verlet with sudden stop of atoms, FIRE) allows to find the equilibrium configuration of the nuclei, for which the forces vanish, see ionmov. The cell parameters can also be optimized concurently with the atomic positions optcell, possibly with a state of given stress as a target, strtarget.

Specified lattice parameters, or angles, or atomic positions, can be kept fixed if needed, see topic_GeoConstraints.

A genetic algorithm has been coded, for global optimisation. See ga_rules. Not in production yet.

The results of the structural relaxation are saved in the HIST.nc file. This file can be used to restart the calculation or to analyze the results at the end of calculation. For further details about the AbiPy API please consult the HistFile notebook .

compulsory:

  • dtion Delta Time for IONs
  • ionmov IONic MOVEs
  • optcell OPTimize the CELL shape and dimensions

basic:

  • dilatmx lattice DILATation: MaXimal value
  • ntime Number of TIME steps
  • strfact STRess FACTor
  • tolmxde TOLerance on the MaXimal Difference in Energy
  • tolmxf TOLerance on the MaXimal Force

useful:

expert:

Selected Input Files

v1:

v2:

v3:

v5:

v6:

v7: