Computer simulation techniques: Difference between revisions

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The two predominant '''computer simulation techniques''' used in the simulation of phases of condensed matter are:  
<blockquote>''"In those pieces of apparatus [computing machines] I see not only devices to make the forces of nature serviceable in new ways, no, I view them with much greater respect; I dare say that I see in them the true devices for unveiling the essence of things"''
:::[[Ludwig Eduard Boltzmann]] <ref>"The Second Law of the Mechanical Theory of Heat" (1886) (Note: this quote and reference is taken from p. 110 of Engelbert Broda (English translation with Larry Gay) "Ludwig Boltzmann - Man, Physicist, Philosopher" Ox Bow Press (1983) ISBN 0918024242
, but I have as yet been unable to corroborate this reference).</ref></blockquote>
'''Computer simulations''' are used to obtain quantitative results, under various thermodynamic conditions, for [[realistic models]] which are parametrised to study a specific atomic or molecular system with a certain degree of realism, or [[force fields]], which  consist of  transferable parameters for molecular sub-units, usually at the atomistic level. Force fields are designed to be applicable to a variety of molecular systems, in particular for flexible molecules. Computer simulations are also used to perform "computer experiments" on [[idealised models]] in order to test theories with a view to arriving at a better understanding of the underlying physics of a system.
 
The two predominant computer simulation techniques used in the study of soft condensed matter are:  
*[[Molecular dynamics]]
*[[Molecular dynamics]]
and
and
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*[[Computation of phase equilibria]]
*[[Computation of phase equilibria]]
*[[Configuration analysis]]
*[[Configuration analysis]]
*[[Constrained cell method]]
*[[Dissipative particle dynamics]]
*[[Dissipative particle dynamics]]
*[[Electrostatics]]
*[[Electrostatics]]
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*[[Iterative Boltzmann inversion]]
*[[Iterative Boltzmann inversion]]
*[[Models]]
*[[Models]]
*[[Multicanonical ensemble]]
*[[Neighbour lists]]
*[[Neighbour lists]]
*[[Path integral formulation#Computer simulation techniques | Path integrals]]
*[[Path integral formulation#Computer simulation techniques | Path integrals]]
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*[[Smooth Particle methods]]
*[[Smooth Particle methods]]
*[[Statistical-temperature simulation algorithm]]
*[[Statistical-temperature simulation algorithm]]
*[[Synthetic method]]
*[[Tempering methods]]
*[[Tempering methods]]
*[[Test area method]]
*[[Test area method]]
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*[http://arxiv.org/abs/0812.2086 Wm. G. Hoover "50 Years of Computer Simulation -- A Personal View", arXiv:0812.2086v2 (2008)]
*[http://arxiv.org/abs/0812.2086 Wm. G. Hoover "50 Years of Computer Simulation -- A Personal View", arXiv:0812.2086v2 (2008)]
*[http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.476021  Wilfred F. van Gunsteren, and Alan E. Mark "Validation of molecular dynamics simulation", Journal of Chemical Physics '''108''' pp. 6109-6116 (1998)]
*[http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.476021  Wilfred F. van Gunsteren, and Alan E. Mark "Validation of molecular dynamics simulation", Journal of Chemical Physics '''108''' pp. 6109-6116 (1998)]
*Richard P. Feynman "Simulating Physics With Computers", International Journal of Theoretical Physics '''21''' pp. 467-488 (1982)
*[http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00268976.2013.817623 Michael P. Allen and David Quigley "Some comments on Monte Carlo and molecular dynamics methods", Molecular Physics '''111''' pp. 3442-3447 (2013)]
[[category: Computer simulation techniques]]
[[category: Computer simulation techniques]]

Latest revision as of 14:12, 3 March 2016

"In those pieces of apparatus [computing machines] I see not only devices to make the forces of nature serviceable in new ways, no, I view them with much greater respect; I dare say that I see in them the true devices for unveiling the essence of things"

Ludwig Eduard Boltzmann [1]

Computer simulations are used to obtain quantitative results, under various thermodynamic conditions, for realistic models which are parametrised to study a specific atomic or molecular system with a certain degree of realism, or force fields, which consist of transferable parameters for molecular sub-units, usually at the atomistic level. Force fields are designed to be applicable to a variety of molecular systems, in particular for flexible molecules. Computer simulations are also used to perform "computer experiments" on idealised models in order to test theories with a view to arriving at a better understanding of the underlying physics of a system.

The two predominant computer simulation techniques used in the study of soft condensed matter are:

and

For a list of some of the computer programs available see:

Material common to both techniques[edit]

Interesting reading[edit]

  1. "The Second Law of the Mechanical Theory of Heat" (1886) (Note: this quote and reference is taken from p. 110 of Engelbert Broda (English translation with Larry Gay) "Ludwig Boltzmann - Man, Physicist, Philosopher" Ox Bow Press (1983) ISBN 0918024242 , but I have as yet been unable to corroborate this reference).