Questions tagged [geometry-optimization]
Questions about finding the molecular or material geometry that has the lowest energy.
117
questions
26
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Is it right to neglect very small imaginary frequencies?
I'm running a DFT optimization (B3LYP/def2-TZVP) and frequencies in ORCA for a molecule. And I get one or two very small (1-6 cm^-1) imaginary frequencies which corresponds to a slight bend of the ...
25
votes
3
answers
4k
views
Geometry optimization: what happens in the algorithm?
Geometry optimization using density functional theory (DFT) is done by moving the atoms of a molecule to get the most stable structure with the lowest possible ground state energy. My question is what ...
18
votes
2
answers
986
views
Logic of published geometry optimization results without checking phonons
I see that in many papers where optimization results presented, they do not mention phonons and their force convergence criterion is 0.01 eV/A. Can you publish a result like that? And is not this ...
17
votes
1
answer
689
views
Why is CPHF/CPKS necessary for calculating second derivatives?
This question is coming from an answer to one of my previous questions. During optimizations, QM programs usually compute the gradient(first derivative) analytically, and take a guess of the hessian (...
16
votes
2
answers
747
views
Choice of coordinate system for geometry optimization
For geometry optimization, most QM codes tend to use internal coordinates. Most codes also support Cartesian coordinates. I have always heard the usual "use Cartesian as a last resort, always use ...
16
votes
2
answers
818
views
What's the best quantum chemistry output parser for the command line?
This question is about tools like Open Babel. Are there any good command-line parsers for quantum chemistry program outputs? A good Python library could come in as a close second.
I am interested e.g. ...
15
votes
3
answers
3k
views
Geometry optimization for n-layers in VASP
What is the best way to optimize monolayer geometry in VASP?
Should the same method be used for an n-layer (n=2,3,4,5)?
15
votes
3
answers
195
views
Candidate structures for global minimum determination
What are the best packages that can generate candidate structures for quantum chemical optimization (DFT or CCSD) to find the global minimum? I am working on the gas-phase small inorganic clusters (...
14
votes
5
answers
2k
views
Are dispersion correction methods for DFT (such as D3) useful for geometry optimization?
For what I know the DFT-D3 method or similar corrections that take into account dispersion effect, add this type of contribution through calculation of atom pairwise interactions at the end of an ...
14
votes
5
answers
2k
views
Can I use two different codes?
Can I use one code for geometry optimization and another code for a single point calculation on that optimized geometry? Can one publish results like that?
14
votes
1
answer
279
views
Is there a software that has implemented forces of TDDFT calculations for solids?
I'd like to investigate the structural relaxations of the excited state for periodic systems. BSE and TDDFT are two promising methods for this purpose. While there is a discussion on forces with BSE ...
13
votes
1
answer
3k
views
Why does Gaussian ignore the opt=maxcycles keyword for optimizations?
I have been using both Gaussian09 and Gaussian16 recently to optimize some metal complexes. The Gaussian manual (for both versions) indicates that the maximum number of steps in a geometry ...
13
votes
1
answer
313
views
Excited state energy gradient during geometry optimization of a target excited state
During the geometry optimization of the ground state of a molecule, we try to optimize the energy
gradient with respect to the nuclear positions such that the system remains in its lowest energy
state....
12
votes
1
answer
6k
views
When should "vc-relax" be performed over "relax" calculations in Quantum ESPRESSO?
I'm new to Quantum ESPRESSO and I have read that there are several scenarios when relax calculations are preferred over vc-relax calculations, for example in maintaining vacuum while modelling surface....
12
votes
2
answers
262
views
Permissible amount of forces on ions in a relaxed structure
An equilibrium structure would be at a local minimum but that doesn't happen with all relaxation calculations. Relaxed structures tend to have some resultant forces on ions. What amount of these ...
12
votes
2
answers
716
views
Comparing calculations in plane wave and atomic orbital bases for the same functional
Let's say I have two codes. One is plane wave, and the other is using atomic orbitals as basis sets. How can I compare these two codes with the same functional? And let's say I want to optimise the ...
12
votes
1
answer
561
views
Geometric optimization taking a long time. Are my convergence criteria too tight in CP2K?
I have been having trouble with the VIBRATIONAL_ANALYSIS routine. Namely, the routine keeps timing out. I am trying to find the vibrational modes of Pyridine in a non periodic system, as well as $\ce{...
11
votes
2
answers
973
views
Analytic gradient for DLPNO-CCSD
Is there a formula for analytical gradients (for geometry optimization) for the DLPNO-CCSD method? I ask because I know that it is not implemented in ORCA. Maybe PNO-CCSD is implemented in MRCC or ...
11
votes
1
answer
249
views
How would you report the lattice parameters of an alloy, modelled using a supercell
There is a whole lot of literature behind ab initio modelling of alloys with statistical site occupancies. These include VCA, SQS, CPA, supercell approach, etc. This question does not aim to compare ...
11
votes
1
answer
243
views
How would one find a material's equilibrium structure at any specific temperature?
Let's take an example of a simple FCC material, a binary alloy. Above absolute zero K, the alloy will start to disorder and become an FCC solid solution. The alloy would develop defects as it ...
11
votes
1
answer
229
views
Using "soft" constraints / bias in geometry optimization?
I study molecules weakly bound to nanoclusters and surfaces.
During geometry optimization, I often run into problems like for example a small metal cluster behave nicely and has a given, stable ...
11
votes
1
answer
383
views
How do I predict the structure of a nanoparticle with Calypso and Quantum ESPRESSO?
I want to create a nanoparticle of CuO and predict it's structure. I've done unit cell relaxation with Quantum ESPRESSO. One tool to predict nanocluster structure is Calypso which is PSO-based. I'm ...
10
votes
1
answer
505
views
How can I specify different theory levels for different atoms in Gaussian?
I have a bunch of geometry optimisations I want to run for a cation Metal-organic complex. This is going to be a repeat of calculations that were done in "Turbomole" previously and my Prof. ...
10
votes
2
answers
816
views
Should I do vc-relax with nspin=2 in Quantum Espresso for magnetic samples?
I'm a beginner when it comes to DFT and Quantum Espresso.
Consider I have a lattice which has associated magnetic properties. So for geometric optimization should I take into account the magnetic ...
10
votes
1
answer
293
views
SCAN-RVV10 geometry optimization
I'm using SCAN-RVV10 to optimize the hexagonal-BN but the optimized geometry doesn't look true as the calculated interlayer distance is far smaller than the experimental value(exp=3.35 Aangstrom, calc=...
10
votes
1
answer
167
views
How to define a nonconventional geometry to obtain exchange spring hysteresis loop structure using MuMax3?
I have tried to simulate the hysteresis loop for the exchange spring structure using Mumax3. I have already simulated the hysteresis loop for the conventional bilayer soft-hard structure. Please find ...
10
votes
1
answer
765
views
Can I do a "constrained" geometry optimization in Quantum ESPRESSO, such that certain dopants appear in certain positions even after relaxation?
I am studying the magnetic properties of bulk ZnO, so I am doping it with transition metal elements in order to observe the magnetic spectrum. I replace a Zn atom with a transition metal element at ...
9
votes
3
answers
589
views
Which output file from CASTEP after geometry optimization is like with the CONTCAR from VASP?
I am trying to use the atomic positions in geometry optimized crystal structure to get the radial distribution function.
I know that some codes can read the positions of the atoms from the CONTCAR ...
9
votes
2
answers
631
views
Is it reasonable to calculate TDDFT excitation energies at a geometry optimized with a different method?
I am working on a project where I have to calculate the TDDFT excitation energies of organic molecules (to compare to the experimental UV/visible i.e. optical absorption spectrum). Now, if I ...
9
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Is it possible to do a Gaussian redundant scan with some fixed bonds?
I'm trying to do a redundant PES scan of a hydrogen abstraction in a Gaussian job while maintaining the rest of the system fixed. I need to scan the coordinate where H5 approaches to H6, maintaining ...
9
votes
2
answers
298
views
Is there a possibility to change the initial crystal system during full geometric relaxation?
One of the challenges of modelling completely new material using DFT is the selection of initial geometry. Usually, an experimental structure (cif) which appears to be similar to the new material in ...
9
votes
1
answer
1k
views
How to eliminate imaginary frequencies during a Gaussian geometry optimization?
When conducting a minimization on Gaussian software, What are the procedures used to eliminate imaginary frequencies if we have already found a stationary point? Are there any keywords that would help ...
9
votes
1
answer
269
views
Geometry optimization using DFT
I have been attempting to optimize the structure of a Si nanowire using SIESTA. The original structure fed into the optimization is as follows.
Once it is optimized, the structure would change to ...
8
votes
1
answer
507
views
Do the U values affect structure optimization with the DFT+U simulation to optimize crystal structure?
I am trying to do structure optimization of TiO2, since titanium is a transition metal, I need to use DFT+U to simulate the right band structure, but the electronic band structure would also affect ...
8
votes
1
answer
186
views
Symmetry group of p-benzoquinone
I am trying to calculate the UV-visible spectrum of p-benzoquinone. In the literature, the point group of p-benzoquinone is $D_{2h}$, but when I optimize this molecule in the ground state with ...
8
votes
1
answer
965
views
What are the input parameters of VASP for 2D material geometry optimization?
Apparently, my input parameters are not good for geometry relaxation of 2D materials using VASP.
...
8
votes
0
answers
89
views
How does the line search in geometry optimisations work?
I am trying to write a Newton-Raphson geometry optimisation script in python (Current version of my code) using the energy, gradient and Hessian from Gaussian 16. In order to reach a minimum, I would ...
8
votes
0
answers
242
views
ASE's fmax and FHI-AIMS's relax_geometry bfgs "tolerance". Are they same? [closed]
They look like the same thing, but their definitions are confusing. Additionally, while it's possible to use 'tolerance'< 0.05 in AIMS easily, in ASE, some structures never optimize if you choose ...
7
votes
3
answers
187
views
What would be the preferred format for a geometry database?
Introduction (analogy to basis set database files)
Many programs have a database of basis sets stored in a file such as the following (so that users can just specify in their input file something like ...
7
votes
1
answer
286
views
Molecular geometry optimization for cyclooctatetraene with pyscf
I am trying to reproduce the cyclooctatetraene isometrization process pulished here.
In figure 3 of the paper, it shows the potential energy surface as a variable of the polar angle using the CAS(8,8) ...
7
votes
1
answer
701
views
What are the output files generated by an NEB calculation?
I just used Orca for the first time.
Can someone address me a valid guide to understand all the files in the directory?
I'd like to perform a Nudged Elastic Band (NEB) calculation, but I'm stuck ...
7
votes
1
answer
82
views
How many non-redundant internal coordinates are needed for optimisation of linear molecule?
I have been working to implement optimisation in internal coordinates (for a transition state search software I am working on). However, the implementation details are almost always glossed over in ...
7
votes
1
answer
80
views
Relax vs VC-Relax for interstitial incorporation energy
In order to model an interstitial trapped in a metal lattice, and the associated incorporation energy, which should be used - "relax" or "vc-relax"? I want to understand the ...
7
votes
1
answer
596
views
Gaussian: Transition state convergence question
I am running a TS computation in Gaussian 16. It performs several steps.
At the end of each there is a summary on whether Maximum Force, ...
6
votes
2
answers
649
views
Geometry optimization with Moller-Plesset MP4
Can we optimize a molecular structure using Moller-Plesset MP4 method on GAUSSIAN software? If yes what keyword do we have to add?
6
votes
2
answers
556
views
Analytic Hessian at the level of full CI?
This is a follow-up question to my previous question: Computing analytic derivatives of molecular Hamiltonians obtained from solving Hartree-Fock equations.
After looking at various quantum chemistry ...
6
votes
2
answers
267
views
Symmetry-preserving low-level structural relaxation
I would like some suggestions on how to do structural relaxation (while I'm at it, let me list some synonyms for search exposure - geometry optimization, structural refinement, energy minimization etc)...
6
votes
2
answers
585
views
How can I increase the default maximum limit on step size for convergence in quantum ESPRESSO?
When trying to manually optimise the geometry of the crystal, I've faced an issue wherein the code stopped the convergence process after just 100 steps (which was the default maximum). Is there a way ...
6
votes
2
answers
486
views
SCF not converging during RHF/STO-3G geometry optimisation
I'm new in the field of QM methods and I've run into a problem for which I can't find a solution online.
I have tried with different basis sets, I've raised the maximum number of iterations and number ...
6
votes
2
answers
199
views
Number of k-points for unit and super cell
I am just new with solid state calculation and would like to know one thing.
Why is plane wave basis set is good for 1s and 2s orbitals, but for higher convergence is poor? Why is it better to use ...