Density functional theory (DFT) provides a solid basis for the simulation of materials
properties. The computational expense of DFT often makes the calculation of materials properties
diffi cult. We coarse grain the interatomic interaction from DFT to allow for faster and larger
simulations.
The resulting analytic Bond-Order Potentials (BOPs) contain the important contributions to bond
formation, including magnetism and charge transfer, naturally within their remit. The BOPs are
orders of magnitude faster than DFT and allow for the direct sampling of thermodynamic
observables.
I will discuss the application of the BOPs to simulating fi nite temperature properties in iron.
I will further discuss the simulation of nucleation and solid-solid transformations with relevance
to high-temperature materials. A short summary of recent activities for a more systematic
validation of interatomic potentials will also be given.
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