Product Description

Understanding Molecular Simulation: From Algorithms to Applications explains the physics behind the "recipes" of molecular simulation for materials science. Computer simulators are continuously confronted with questions concerning the choice of a particular technique for a given application. A wide variety of tools exist, so the choice of technique requires a good understanding of the basic principles. More importantly, such understanding may greatly improve the efficiency of a simulation program. The implementation of simulation methods is illustrated in pseudocodes and their practical use in the case studies used in the text.

Since the first edition only five years ago, the simulation world has changed significantly -- current techniques have matured and new ones have appeared. This new edition deals with these new developments; in particular, there are sections on:

· Transition path sampling and diffusive barrier crossing to simulaterare events
· Dissipative particle dynamic as a course-grained simulation technique
· Novel schemes to compute the long-ranged forces
· Hamiltonian and non-Hamiltonian dynamics in the context constant-temperature and constant-pressure molecular dynamics simulations
· Multiple-time step algorithms as an alternative for constraints
· Defects in solids
· The pruned-enriched Rosenbluth sampling, recoil-growth, and concerted rotations for complex molecules
· Parallel tempering for glassy Hamiltonians

Examples are included that highlight current applications and the codes of case studies are available on the World Wide Web. Several new examples have been added since the first edition to illustrate recent applications. Questions are included in this new edition. No prior knowledge of computer simulation is assumed.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #208520 in Books
• Published on: 2001-10-19
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 664 pages

Review
"... this book brilliantly lays down the scientific foundations of the simulational approach ..." Prof. Kurt Binder in Physics World, 1997

"... a treasure. The book is a marvellous mix of just enough formalism with an informal and readable style, sufficient detail to understand methodological advances, appropriate mathematics ..." Prof. Mark A. Ratner in Physics Today, 1997

From the Author
Understanding Molecular Simulations
The book is aimed at readers who are active in computer simulation, orare planning to become so. Computer simulators are continuously confronted with questions concerning the choice of technique, because there is a bewildering variety of computational tools available. We believe that, in order to make a rational choice, a good understanding of the physics behind each technique is essential. Our aim is to provide the reader with this background.

About the Author
Daan Frenkel is based at the FOM Institute for Atomic and Molecular Physics and at the Department of Chemistry, University of Amsterdam. His research has three central themes: prediction of phase behavior of complex liquids, modeling the (hydro) dynamics of colloids and microporous structures, and predicting the rate of activated processes. He was awarded the prestigious Spinoza Prize from the Dutch Research Council in 2000.

Berend Smit is Professor at the Department of Chemical Engineering of the Faculty of Science, University of Amsterdam. His research focuses on novel Monte Carlo simulations. Smit applies this technique to problems that are of technological importance, particularly those of interest in chemical engineering.

Customer Reviews

A great book for begginers.
This book covers many interesting topics in molecular simulation, both Monte Carlo and M.D. It focuses on understanding the main ideas rather than giving long codes. It's a good place to start, but it also covers some ideas not found in many other books. When I try to extend my molecular dynamics program I always check what Frenkel and Smit have to say about it.