Simulation algorithm that conserves energy and momentum for molecular dynamics of systems driven by switching potentials (Q1036293)

Summary: Whenever there exists a crossover from one potential to another, computational problems are introduced in Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulation. These problem are overcome here by an algorithm, described in detail. The algorithm is applied to a 2-body particle potential for a hysteresis loop reaction model. Extreme temperature conditions were applied to test for algorithm effectiveness by monitoring global energy, pressure and temperature discrepancies in an equilibrium system. No net rate of energy and other flows within experimental error should be observed, in addition to invariance of temperature and pressure along the MD cell for the said system. It is found that all these conditions are met only when the algorithm is applied. It is concluded that the method can easily be extended to Nonequilibrium MD (NEMD) simulations and to reactive systems with reversible, non-hysteresis loops.