5.3. Input script structure

This page describes the structure of a typical LAMMPS input script. The examples directory in the LAMMPS distribution contains many sample input scripts; it is discussed on the Examples doc page.

A LAMMPS input script typically has 4 parts:

  1. Initialization

  2. Atom definition

  3. Settings

  4. Run a simulation

The last 2 parts can be repeated as many times as desired. I.e. run a simulation, change some settings, run some more, etc. Each of the 4 parts is now described in more detail. Remember that almost all commands need only be used if a non-default value is desired.

  1. Initialization

Set parameters that need to be defined before atoms are created or read-in from a file.

The relevant commands are units, dimension, newton, processors, boundary, atom_style, atom_modify.

If force-field parameters appear in the files that will be read, these commands tell LAMMPS what kinds of force fields are being used: pair_style, bond_style, angle_style, dihedral_style, improper_style.

  1. Atom definition

There are 3 ways to define atoms in LAMMPS. Read them in from a data or restart file via the read_data or read_restart commands. These files can contain molecular topology information. Or create atoms on a lattice (with no molecular topology), using these commands: lattice, region, create_box, create_atoms. The entire set of atoms can be duplicated to make a larger simulation using the replicate command.

  1. Settings

Once atoms and molecular topology are defined, a variety of settings can be specified: force field coefficients, simulation parameters, output options, etc.

Force field coefficients are set by these commands (they can also be set in the read-in files): pair_coeff, bond_coeff, angle_coeff, dihedral_coeff, improper_coeff, kspace_style, dielectric, special_bonds.

Various simulation parameters are set by these commands: neighbor, neigh_modify, group, timestep, reset_timestep, run_style, min_style, min_modify.

Fixes impose a variety of boundary conditions, time integration, and diagnostic options. The fix command comes in many flavors.

Various computations can be specified for execution during a simulation using the compute, compute_modify, and variable commands.

Output options are set by the thermo, dump, and restart commands.

  1. Run a simulation

A molecular dynamics simulation is run using the run command. Energy minimization (molecular statics) is performed using the minimize command. A parallel tempering (replica-exchange) simulation can be run using the temper command.