C. Micheletti, G. Bussi and A. Laio
Optimal Langevin modelling of out-of-equilibrium molecular dynamics
simulations
J. Chem. Phys 129 074105 (2008)
Link to online article.
Selected for the September 1, 2008 issue of Virtual Journal of Biological Physics Research..
We introduce a scheme for deriving an optimally-parametrised
Langevin dynamics of few collective variables from data generated in
molecular dynamics simulations. The drift and the position-dependent
diffusion profiles governing the Langevin dynamics
are expressed as explicit averages over the input
trajectories. The proposed strategy is applicable to cases when the input
trajectories are generated by subjecting the system to a external
time-dependent force (as opposed to canonically-equilibrated
trajectories). Secondly, it provides an explicit control on the
statistical uncertainty of the drift and diffusion profiles. These
features lend to the possibility of designing the external force
driving the system so to maximize the accuracy of the drift and
diffusions profile throughout the phase space of interest.
Quantitative criteria are also provided to assess {\em a
posteriori} the satisfiability of the requisites for applying the
method, namely the Markovian character of the stochastic dynamics of
the collective variables.