We present a method called SISYPHUS (stochastic iterations to strengthen yield of path hopping over upper states) for extending accessible time scales in atomistic simulations. The method proceeds by separating phase space into basins and transition regions between the basins based on a general collective variable (CV) criterion. The transition regions are treated via traditional molecular dynamics (MD) while Monte Carlo (MC) methods are used to (i) estimate the expected time spent in each basin and (ii) thermalize the system between two MD episodes. In particular, an efficient adiabatic switching based scheme is used to estimate the time spent inside the basins. The method offers various advantages over existing approaches in terms of (i) providing an accurate real time scale, (ii) avoiding reliance on harmonic transition state theory, and (iii) avoiding the need to enumerate all possible transition events. Applications of SISYPHUS to low-temperature vacancy diffusion in bcc Ta and adatom island ripening in fcc Al are presented. A CV appropriate for such condensed phases, especially for transitions involving collective motions of several atoms, is also introduced.

• Received 27 December 2012

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.87.094304