Structure simulation models using interatomic potentials

Two broad classes of technique are available for modeling matter at the atomic level. The first avoids the explicit solution of the Schrodinger equation by using interatomic potentials (IP), which express the energy of the system as a function of nuclear coordinates. Such methods are fast and effective within their domain of applicability and good interatomic potential functions are available for many materials. They are, however, limited as they cannot describe any properties and processes, which depend explicitly on the electronic structme of the material. In contrast, electronic structure calculations solve the Schrodinger equation at some level of approximation allowing direct simulation of, for example, spectroscopic properties and reaction mechanisms. We now present an introduction to interatomic potential-based methods (often referred to as atomistic simulations). 

This is undertaken by two procedures first, empirical methods, in which variable parameters are adjusted, generally via a least squares fitting procedure to observed crystal properties. The latter must include the crystal structure (and the procedure of fitting to the structure has normally been achieved by minimizing the calculated forces acting on the atoms at their observed positions in the unit cell). Elastic constants should, where available, be included and dielectric properties are required to parameterize the shell model constants. Phonon dispersion curves provide valuable information on interatomic forces and force constant models (in which the variable parameters are first and second derivatives of the potential) are commonly fitted to lattice dynamical data. This has been less common in the fitting of parameters in potential models, which are onr present concern as they are required for subsequent use in simulations. However, empirically derived potential models should always be tested against phonon dispersion curves when the latter are available. 

The effect of temperature on the bulk structure can be studied by free energy calculations and by crystal dynamics simulations. Infra-red and Raman spectra, and certain inelastic neutron scattering spectra directly reflect aspects of the lattice dsmamics. Infra-red spectra can be simulated firom the force constant matrix, based on interatomic potential models [94-97]. The matching of simulated mode fiequencies with those measured in Raman or IR spectra can indeed be used to develop, validate or improve the form and parameterization of the interatomic potential functions [97]. 

Pair-additive interactions continued to be used in most materials-related simulations for over 20 years after Vineyard s work despite well-known deficiencies in their ability to model surface and bulk properties of most materials. Quantitative simulation of materials properties was therefore very limited. A breakthrough in materials-related atomistic simulation occurred in the 1980s, however, with the development of several many-body analytic potential energy functions that allow accurate quantitative predictions of structures and dynamics of materials.These methods demonstrated that even relatively simple analytic interatomic potential functions can capture many of the details of chemical bonding, provided the functional form is carefully derived from sound physical principles. 

Electronic structure methods provide detailed insight into optic and electronic properties and are useful in multiscale approaches. They are currently less suited for the simulation of filler materials and nanocomposites as the maximum feasible number of atoms (<10 ) and timescales (<10ps) are rather small. All-atom models on the basis of interatomic potentials (force fields) in combination with molecular dynamics (MD) are a powerful tool that allows the simulation of systems of lO-lOOnm size (up to 1(F atoms) for periods approaching microseconds. MD simulations rely on Newton s classical equations of motion ... 

A third, less obvious limitation of sampling methods is that, due to the heavy computational burden involved, simpler interatomic potential models are more prevalent in Monte Carlo and molecular dynamics simulations. For example, polarizability may be an important factor in some polymer crystals. Nevertheless, a model such as the shell model is difficult and time-consuming to implement in Monte Carlo or molecular dynamics simulations and is rarely used. United atom models are quite popular in simulations of amorphous phases due to the reduction in computational requirements for a simulation of a given size. However, united atom models must be used with caution in crystal phase simulations, as the neglect of structural detail in the model may be sufficient to alter completely the symmetry of the crystal phase itself. United atom polyethylene, for example, exhibits a hexagonal unit cell over all temperatures, rather than the experimentally observed orthorhombic unit cell [58,63] such a change of structure could be reflected in the dynamical properties as well. 

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