arXiv subjects

Augustin Bussy

Publications and source records attributed to Augustin Bussy.

7 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Randomized Block Davidson Eigensolvers for Plane-Wave Density-Functional Theory

Iterative diagonalization is the dominant cost of plane-wave density-functional theory (DFT), with search-space orthogonalization scaling particularly quickly with problem size and the number of target states. We present a randomized block Davidson-type eigensolver that replaces Euclidean orthogonalization with randomized Gram-Schmidt in a sketched inner product, requiring only a single pass over the basis while keeping its conditioning bounded independently of the input vectors. This modification changes only the Rayleigh-Ritz step, which becomes a definite generalized Hermitian eigenproblem. Ritz extraction remains exact, preserving true Ritz pairs and the interlacing property that makes each band energy an upper bound on the true one. The method is implemented in mixed precision for CPUs and GPUs from a single Julia code, interfaces matrix-free with DFTK, and is released in the open-source RandESC library. On sparse test problems with a fixed number of eigenpairs, the sketched solver overtakes its deterministic counterpart beyond matrix dimensions of about $2\times 10^4$ and is $25\%$ faster at $5\times 10^5$. In full self-consistent field DFT calculations, however, both Davidson variants outperform the locally optimal block preconditioned conjugate gradient (LOBPCG) reference only by $5$ to $11\%$ in total time, while the additional benefit of sketching is limited. As the number of requested states grows with system size, orthogonalization savings are offset by the generalized eigenproblem. Therefore, the regime in which sketching pays off is set by how the number of wanted states scales with the problem dimension, not by the eigensolver as such.

math.NA↗

arXiv2026

CP2K: An electronic structure and molecular dynamics software package - Dynamics, Transport, and Spectroscopic Response

One of the distinguishing aspects of CP2K is its seamless integration of diverse structural and transition-state optimization techniques with advanced sampling approaches including Monte Carlo, molecular dynamics, and metadynamics, enabling the efficient exploration of complex potential- and free-energy landscapes, including rare events. These capabilities are combined with a broad hierarchy of energy and force evaluation methods, ranging from classical and machine-learned interaction potentials and mixed quantum-classical multiscale and semiempirical schemes, to highly accurate quantum-mechanical electronic-structure approaches. At the heart of the latter lies the Gaussian and plane-wave framework, along with its augmented all-electron generalization, which have been described in detail in our previous code review [T. D. Kühne et al., J. Chem. Phys. 152, 194103 (2020)]. Building on this foundation, the present work revisits the methods within CP2K that turn electronic structure into dynamics, transport, and spectroscopic response. Particular emphasis is placed on the coupling between static response calculations and nuclear motion: spectra may be evaluated at optimized structures, averaged over thermally sampled configurations, obtained from time-correlation functions along ab-initio or path integral molecular trajectories, or followed in real time together with electronic and nuclear dynamics. The same modular structure also enables equilibrium and biased transport simulations, from Kubo-type linear response to open-boundary approaches under external potentials, highlighting CP2K's unique capability to unify quantum chemistry with quantum and statistical mechanics within a versatile, holistic simulation environment.

physics.chem-ph↗

arXiv2025

The CP2K Program Package Made Simple

CP2K is a versatile open-source software package for simulations across a wide range of atomistic systems, from isolated molecules in the gas phase to low-dimensional functional materials and interfaces, as well as highly symmetric crystalline solids, disordered amorphous glasses, and weakly interacting soft-matter systems in the liquid state and in solution. This review highlights CP2K's capabilities for computing both static and dynamical properties using quantum-mechanical and classical simulation methods. In contrast to the accompanying theory and code paper [J. Chem. Phys. 152, 194103 (2020)], the focus here is on the practical usage and applications of CP2K, with underlying theoretical concepts introduced only as needed.

physics.comp-ph↗

arXiv2023

Predicting the Charge Density Response in Metal Electrodes

The computational study of energy storage and conversion processes calls for simulation techniques that can reproduce the electronic response of metal electrodes under electric fields. Despite recent advancements in machine-learning methods applied to electronic-structure properties, predicting the non-local behavior of the charge density in electronic conductors remains a major open challenge. We combine long-range and equivariant kernel methods to predict the Kohn-Sham electron density of metal electrodes in response to various kinds of electric field perturbations. By taking slabs of gold as an example, we first show how the non-local electronic polarization generated by the interaction with an ionic species can be accurately reproduced in electrodes of arbitrary thickness. A finite-field extension of the method is then introduced, which allows us to predict the charge transfer and the electrostatic potential drop induced by the application of a homogeneous and constant electric field. Finally, we demonstrate the capability of the method to reproduce the charge-density response in a gold/electrolyte capacitor under an applied voltage, predicting the system polarization with a greater accuracy than state-of-the-art classical atomic-charge models.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2021

Strain-induced polar discontinuities in two-dimensional materials from combined first-principles and Schrödinger-Poisson simulations

The local application of mechanical stress in piezoelectric materials gives rise to boundaries across which the electric polarization changes. Polarization charges appear along such polar discontinuities and the ensuing electric fields drive a charge reconstruction with the accumulation of free carriers at the boundaries. This is particularly relevant for two-dimensional materials that can sustain very large strains and display record piezoelectric responses. Here we show by first-principles simulations the emergence of one-dimensional wires of free electrons and holes along strain interfaces, taking SnSe as a paradigmatic material. We complement this by developing a Schrödinger-Poisson approach specifically designed for two-dimensional materials that it is able to reproduce the ab-initio results and also to extend them to regimes of parameters and system sizes that would be unaffordable in first principles calculations. This model allows us to assess the degree of tunability for the free charge in the wires coming from strain values and profiles, and to obtain the critical size at which the interfaces start to be metallic.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2021

First principles correction scheme for linear-response time-dependent density functional theory calculations of core electronic states

Linear-response time-dependent density functional theory (LR-TDDFT) for core level spectroscopy using standard local functionals suffers from self-interaction error and a lack of orbital relaxation upon creation of the core hole. As a result, LR-TDDFT calculated X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) spectra need to be shifted along the energy axis to match experimental data. We propose a correction scheme based on many body perturbation theory to calculate the shift from first principles. The ionization potential of the core donor state is first computed and then substituted for the corresponding Kohn--Sham orbital energy, thus emulating Koopmans' condition. Both self-interaction error and orbital relaxation are taken into account. The method exploits the localized nature of core states for efficiency and integrates seamlessly in our previous implementation of core level LR-TDDFT, yielding corrected spectra in a single calculation. We benchmark the correction scheme on molecules at the K- and L-edges as well as for core binding energies and report accuracies comparable to higher order methods. We also demonstrate applicability in large and extended systems and discuss efficient approximations.

physics.chem-ph↗

arXiv2020

CP2K: An Electronic Structure and Molecular Dynamics Software Package -- Quickstep: Efficient and Accurate Electronic Structure Calculations

CP2K is an open source electronic structure and molecular dynamics software package to perform atomistic simulations of solid-state, liquid, molecular and biological systems. It is especially aimed at massively-parallel and linear-scaling electronic structure methods and state-of-the-art ab-initio molecular dynamics simulations. Excellent performance for electronic structure calculations is achieved using novel algorithms implemented for modern high-performance computing systems. This review revisits the main capabilities of CP2k to perform efficient and accurate electronic structure simulations. The emphasis is put on density functional theory and multiple post-Hartree-Fock methods using the Gaussian and plane wave approach and its augmented all-electron extension.

physics.chem-ph↗