Simulation algorithms, problems with

For linear systems, the differential equation for the jth cumulant function is linear and it involves terms up to the jth cumulant. The same procedure will be followed subsequently with other models to obtain analogous differential equations, which will be solved numerically if analytical solutions are not tractable. Historically, numerical methods were used to construct solutions to the master equations, but these solutions have pitfalls that include the need to approximate higher-order moments as a product of lower moments, and convergence issues [383]. What was needed was a general method that would solve this sort of problem, and that came with the stochastic simulation algorithm. 

In a liquid crystal most properties are best expressed relative to a director based coordinate system. This is not a problem in a macroscopic system where the director is virtually fixed. However, it can be a problem in a small system such as a simulation cell where the director is constantly diffusing on the unit sphere. Thus a director based frame is not an inertial frame. Correction terms should therefore be added to time dependent properties. Time correlation functions with slowly decaying tails might also be affected by the director reorientation. Transport coefficient obtained from them will consequently be incorrect. When NEMD-simulation algorithms are applied, the fictitious external field exerts a torque that constantly twists the director, which could make it impossible to reach a steady state. 

---