TAUCAR: Difference between revisions

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The {{FILE|TAUCAR}} file stores the kinetic-energy density <math>\tau</math> for a [[METAGGA|metaGGA]] calculation. It is written by default for metaGGAs ({{TAG|LTAU}}), but it can be avoided together with the {{FILE|CHGCAR}} using {{TAG|LCHARG}}. The kinetic energy density can also be redirected to {{FILE|vaspwave.h5}} using {{TAG|LH5}}.  
The {{FILE|TAUCAR}} file stores kinetic-energy density  
:<math>\tilde \tau_{\sigma\sigma'} = \frac{\hbar^2}{2m} \sum_{n\mathbf{k}} f_{n\mathbf{k}} \mathbf{\nabla} \tilde \psi_{n\mathbf{k}\sigma} \cdot \nabla \tilde \psi_{n\mathbf{k}\sigma'}</math>
in VASP units (eV <math>\AA^{-3}</math>), i.e. the valence contribution of the pseudo expectation value on the plane-wave grid. Here, <math>\mathbf{\nabla} \tilde \psi_{n\mathbf{k}\sigma}</math> is the gradient of the pseudo Kohn-Sham orbitals within the [[PAW method]]. The {{FILE|TAUCAR}} file is written by default for a [[METAGGA|metaGGA]] calculation, but it can also be written for [[XC functionals]] that are independent of <math>\tau</math> by setting {{TAG|LTAU|T}}. The kinetic energy density can also be redirected to {{FILE|vaspwave.h5}} using {{TAG|LH5}}.
 
To avoid writing <math>\tau</math> for a [[METAGGA|metaGGA]] calculation use {{TAG|LCHARG|F}}. This controls the writing of both the charge density and the kinetic energy density. 
 
The {{FILE|TAUCAR}} file (together with the {{FILE|CHGCAR}} file) can be read to restart a calculation ({{TAG|ICHARG}}).
The {{FILE|TAUCAR}} file (together with the {{FILE|CHGCAR}} file) can be read to restart a calculation ({{TAG|ICHARG}}).
{{NB|tip|We recommend starting from the density files when repeatedly restarting with small changes in the input parameters, e.g., the '''k'''-point mesh ({{FILE|KPOINTS}}).}}
{{NB|tip|We recommend starting from the density files when repeatedly restarting with small changes in the input parameters, e.g., the '''k'''-point mesh ({{FILE|KPOINTS}}).}}
{{NB|mind|Available as of VASP 6.6.}}
{{NB|mind|Available as of VASP 6.6.}}
== Format ==
The format is the same as the {{FILE|CHGCAR}} file except for the lack of augmentation occupancies. In other words the {{FILE|TAUCAR}} file consists of the following block:
* Structure in {{FILE|POSCAR}} format
* FFT-grid dimensions {{TAG|NGXF}}, {{TAG|NGYF}}, {{TAG|NGZF}}
* Kinetic energy density
=== Magnetic calculations ===
For magnetic calculations, the {{FILE|TAUCAR}} file contains additional data blocks for the magnetic part of <math>\tau</math>. In particular, for spin-polarized calculations ({{TAG|ISPIN}}=2), the first set contains the total kinetic energy density (spin up + spin down) and the second one is the magnetization density (spin up - spin down). For noncollinear calculation ({{TAG|LNONCOLLINEAR}}=T), it contains the total charge density and the magnetic part <math>\tau_m</math> in the spinor basis set by {{TAG|SAXIS}}.


== Related tags and articles ==
== Related tags and articles ==

Latest revision as of 12:58, 11 March 2026

The TAUCAR file stores kinetic-energy density

[math]\displaystyle{ \tilde \tau_{\sigma\sigma'} = \frac{\hbar^2}{2m} \sum_{n\mathbf{k}} f_{n\mathbf{k}} \mathbf{\nabla} \tilde \psi_{n\mathbf{k}\sigma} \cdot \nabla \tilde \psi_{n\mathbf{k}\sigma'} }[/math]

in VASP units (eV [math]\displaystyle{ \AA^{-3} }[/math]), i.e. the valence contribution of the pseudo expectation value on the plane-wave grid. Here, [math]\displaystyle{ \mathbf{\nabla} \tilde \psi_{n\mathbf{k}\sigma} }[/math] is the gradient of the pseudo Kohn-Sham orbitals within the PAW method. The TAUCAR file is written by default for a metaGGA calculation, but it can also be written for XC functionals that are independent of [math]\displaystyle{ \tau }[/math] by setting LTAU = T. The kinetic energy density can also be redirected to vaspwave.h5 using LH5.

To avoid writing [math]\displaystyle{ \tau }[/math] for a metaGGA calculation use LCHARG = F. This controls the writing of both the charge density and the kinetic energy density.

The TAUCAR file (together with the CHGCAR file) can be read to restart a calculation (ICHARG).

Tip: We recommend starting from the density files when repeatedly restarting with small changes in the input parameters, e.g., the k-point mesh (KPOINTS).
Mind: Available as of VASP 6.6.

Format

The format is the same as the CHGCAR file except for the lack of augmentation occupancies. In other words the TAUCAR file consists of the following block:

Magnetic calculations

For magnetic calculations, the TAUCAR file contains additional data blocks for the magnetic part of [math]\displaystyle{ \tau }[/math]. In particular, for spin-polarized calculations (ISPIN=2), the first set contains the total kinetic energy density (spin up + spin down) and the second one is the magnetization density (spin up - spin down). For noncollinear calculation (LNONCOLLINEAR=T), it contains the total charge density and the magnetic part [math]\displaystyle{ \tau_m }[/math] in the spinor basis set by SAXIS.

Related tags and articles

CHGCAR, LTAU, ICHARG,

FFT-grid dimensions: ENCUT, NGXF, NGYF, NGZF