Mass-zero constrained dynamics for simulations based on orbital-free density functional theory

Author(s)
A. Coretti, T. Baird, R. Vuilleumier, S. Bonella
Abstract

A new algorithm for efficient and fully time-reversible integration of first-principles molecular dynamics based on orbital-free density functional theory (OFDFT) is presented. The algorithm adapts to this nontrivial case, the recently introduced Mass-Zero (MaZe) constrained dynamics. The formalism ensures that full adiabatic separation is enforced between nuclear and electronic degrees of freedom and, consequently, that the exact Born-Oppenheimer probability for the nuclei is sampled. Numerical integration of the MaZe dynamics combines standard molecular dynamics algorithms, e.g., Verlet or velocity Verlet, with the SHAKE method to impose the minimum conditions on the electronic degrees of freedom as a set of constraints. The developments presented in this work, which include a bespoke adaptation of the standard SHAKE algorithm, ensure that the quasilinear scaling of OFDFT is preserved by the new method for a broad range of kinetic and exchange-correlation functionals, including nonlocal ones. The efficiency and accuracy of the approach are demonstrated via calculations of static and dynamic properties of liquid sodium in the constant energy and constant temperature ensembles.

Organisation(s)
Computational and Soft Matter Physics
External organisation(s)
École Normale Supérieure, Paris , Politecnico di Torino, Centre Européen de Calcul Atomique et Moléculaire, Sorbonne Université, Centre National De La Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)
Journal
Journal of Chemical Physics
Volume
157
No. of pages
18
ISSN
0021-9606
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0130117
Publication date
12-2022
Peer reviewed
Yes
Austrian Fields of Science 2012
104027 Computational chemistry, 102009 Computer simulation, 101014 Numerical mathematics
ASJC Scopus subject areas
General Physics and Astronomy, Physical and Theoretical Chemistry
Portal url
https://ucrisportal.univie.ac.at/en/publications/dd39fff1-fc4e-468c-8e42-b6b25e6cfb7f