Building things

Quick links:

See also

  • The ase.lattice module. The module contains functions for creating most common crystal structures with arbitrary orientation. The user can specify the desired Miller index along the three axes of the simulation, and the smallest periodic structure fulfilling this specification is created. Both bulk crystals and surfaces can be created.

  • The ase.cluster module. Useful for creating nanoparticles and clusters.

  • The ase.spacegroup module

  • The ase.geometry module

Molecules

The G2-database of common molecules is available:

ase.build.molecule(name, vacuum=None, **kwargs)[source]

Create an atomic structure from a database.

This is a helper function to easily create molecules from the g2 and extra databases.

Parameters:
  • name (str) – Name of the molecule to build.

  • vacuum (float, optional) – Amount of vacuum to pad the molecule with on all sides.

  • supplied (Additional keyword arguments (kwargs) can be) –

  • passed (which are) –

  • ase.Atoms. (to) –

Returns:

An ASE Atoms object corresponding to the specified molecule.

Return type:

ase.atoms.Atoms

Notes

To see a list of allowed names, try:

>>> from ase.collections import g2
>>> print(g2.names)  
    ['PH3', 'P2', 'CH3CHO', 'H2COH', 'CS', 'OCHCHO', 'C3H9C', 'CH3COF',
    'CH3CH2OCH3', 'HCOOH', 'HCCl3', 'HOCl', 'H2', 'SH2', 'C2H2',
    'C4H4NH', 'CH3SCH3', 'SiH2_s3B1d', 'CH3SH', 'CH3CO', 'CO', 'ClF3',
    'SiH4', 'C2H6CHOH', 'CH2NHCH2', 'isobutene', 'HCO', 'bicyclobutane',
    'LiF', 'Si', 'C2H6', 'CN', 'ClNO', 'S', 'SiF4', 'H3CNH2',
    'methylenecyclopropane', 'CH3CH2OH', 'F', 'NaCl', 'CH3Cl',
    'CH3SiH3', 'AlF3', 'C2H3', 'ClF', 'PF3', 'PH2', 'CH3CN',
    'cyclobutene', 'CH3ONO', 'SiH3', 'C3H6_D3h', 'CO2', 'NO',
    'trans-butane', 'H2CCHCl', 'LiH', 'NH2', 'CH', 'CH2OCH2',
    'C6H6', 'CH3CONH2', 'cyclobutane', 'H2CCHCN', 'butadiene', 'C',
    'H2CO', 'CH3COOH', 'HCF3', 'CH3S', 'CS2', 'SiH2_s1A1d', 'C4H4S',
    'N2H4', 'OH', 'CH3OCH3', 'C5H5N', 'H2O', 'HCl', 'CH2_s1A1d',
    'CH3CH2SH', 'CH3NO2', 'Cl', 'Be', 'BCl3', 'C4H4O', 'Al', 'CH3O',
    'CH3OH', 'C3H7Cl', 'isobutane', 'Na', 'CCl4', 'CH3CH2O', 'H2CCHF',
    'C3H7', 'CH3', 'O3', 'P', 'C2H4', 'NCCN', 'S2', 'AlCl3', 'SiCl4',
    'SiO', 'C3H4_D2d', 'H', 'COF2', '2-butyne', 'C2H5', 'BF3', 'N2O',
    'F2O', 'SO2', 'H2CCl2', 'CF3CN', 'HCN', 'C2H6NH', 'OCS', 'B', 'ClO',
    'C3H8', 'HF', 'O2', 'SO', 'NH', 'C2F4', 'NF3', 'CH2_s3B1d',
    'CH3CH2Cl', 'CH3COCl', 'NH3', 'C3H9N', 'CF4', 'C3H6_Cs', 'Si2H6',
    'HCOOCH3', 'O', 'CCH', 'N', 'Si2', 'C2H6SO', 'C5H8', 'H2CF2', 'Li2',
    'CH2SCH2', 'C2Cl4', 'C3H4_C3v', 'CH3COCH3', 'F2', 'CH4', 'SH',
    'H2CCO', 'CH3CH2NH2', 'Li', 'N2', 'Cl2', 'H2O2', 'Na2', 'BeH',
    'C3H4_C2v', 'NO2']
>>> from ase.build.molecule import extra
>>> print(extra.keys())  
    dict_keys(['Be2', 'C7NH5', 'BDA', 'biphenyl', 'C60'])

Examples

>>> from ase.build import molecule
>>> atoms = molecule('H2O')

Example:

>>> from ase.build import molecule
>>> atoms = molecule('H2O')

The list of available molecules is those from the ase.collections.g2 database:

>>> from ase.collections import g2
>>> g2.names
['PH3', 'P2', 'CH3CHO', 'H2COH', 'CS', 'OCHCHO', 'C3H9C', 'CH3COF',
 'CH3CH2OCH3', 'HCOOH', 'HCCl3', 'HOCl', 'H2', 'SH2', 'C2H2',
 'C4H4NH', 'CH3SCH3', 'SiH2_s3B1d', 'CH3SH', 'CH3CO', 'CO', 'ClF3',
 'SiH4', 'C2H6CHOH', 'CH2NHCH2', 'isobutene', 'HCO', 'bicyclobutane',
 'LiF', 'Si', 'C2H6', 'CN', 'ClNO', 'S', 'SiF4', 'H3CNH2',
 'methylenecyclopropane', 'CH3CH2OH', 'F', 'NaCl', 'CH3Cl',
 'CH3SiH3', 'AlF3', 'C2H3', 'ClF', 'PF3', 'PH2', 'CH3CN',
 'cyclobutene', 'CH3ONO', 'SiH3', 'C3H6_D3h', 'CO2', 'NO',
 'trans-butane', 'H2CCHCl', 'LiH', 'NH2', 'CH', 'CH2OCH2',
 'C6H6', 'CH3CONH2', 'cyclobutane', 'H2CCHCN', 'butadiene', 'C',
 'H2CO', 'CH3COOH', 'HCF3', 'CH3S', 'CS2', 'SiH2_s1A1d', 'C4H4S',
 'N2H4', 'OH', 'CH3OCH3', 'C5H5N', 'H2O', 'HCl', 'CH2_s1A1d',
 'CH3CH2SH', 'CH3NO2', 'Cl', 'Be', 'BCl3', 'C4H4O', 'Al', 'CH3O',
 'CH3OH', 'C3H7Cl', 'isobutane', 'Na', 'CCl4', 'CH3CH2O', 'H2CCHF',
 'C3H7', 'CH3', 'O3', 'P', 'C2H4', 'NCCN', 'S2', 'AlCl3', 'SiCl4',
 'SiO', 'C3H4_D2d', 'H', 'COF2', '2-butyne', 'C2H5', 'BF3', 'N2O',
 'F2O', 'SO2', 'H2CCl2', 'CF3CN', 'HCN', 'C2H6NH', 'OCS', 'B', 'ClO',
 'C3H8', 'HF', 'O2', 'SO', 'NH', 'C2F4', 'NF3', 'CH2_s3B1d', 'CH3CH2Cl',
 'CH3COCl', 'NH3', 'C3H9N', 'CF4', 'C3H6_Cs', 'Si2H6', 'HCOOCH3', 'O',
 'CCH', 'N', 'Si2', 'C2H6SO', 'C5H8', 'H2CF2', 'Li2', 'CH2SCH2', 'C2Cl4',
 'C3H4_C3v', 'CH3COCH3', 'F2', 'CH4', 'SH', 'H2CCO', 'CH3CH2NH2', 'Li',
 'N2', 'Cl2', 'H2O2', 'Na2', 'BeH', 'C3H4_C2v', 'NO2']

plus Be2, C7NH5, BDA, biphenyl and C60 (for historical reasons).

More complicated molecules may be obtained using the PubChem API integration in the pubchem_atoms_search() and pubchem_atoms_conformer_search() functions. You may search based on common name, chemical identification number (cid), smiles string, or conformer identification number.

Common bulk crystals

ase.build.bulk(name: str, crystalstructure: str = None, a: float = None, b: float = None, c: float = None, *, alpha: float = None, covera: float = None, u: float = None, orthorhombic: bool = False, cubic: bool = False, basis=None) Atoms[source]

Creating bulk systems.

Crystal structure and lattice constant(s) will be guessed if not provided.

name: str

Chemical symbol or symbols as in ‘MgO’ or ‘NaCl’.

crystalstructure: str

Must be one of sc, fcc, bcc, tetragonal, bct, hcp, rhombohedral, orthorhombic, mcl, diamond, zincblende, rocksalt, cesiumchloride, fluorite or wurtzite.

a: float

Lattice constant.

b: float

Lattice constant. If only a and b is given, b will be interpreted as c instead.

c: float

Lattice constant.

alpha: float

Angle in degrees for rhombohedral lattice.

covera: float

c/a ratio used for hcp. Default is ideal ratio: sqrt(8/3).

u: float

Internal coordinate for Wurtzite structure.

orthorhombic: bool

Construct orthorhombic unit cell instead of primitive cell which is the default.

cubic: bool

Construct cubic unit cell if possible.

examples:

>>> from ase.build import bulk
>>> a1 = bulk('Cu', 'fcc', a=3.6)
>>> a2 = bulk('Cu', 'fcc', a=3.6, orthorhombic=True)
>>> a3 = bulk('Cu', 'fcc', a=3.6, cubic=True)
>>> a1.cell
array([[ 0. ,  1.8,  1.8],
       [ 1.8,  0. ,  1.8],
       [ 1.8,  1.8,  0. ]])
>>> a2.cell
array([[ 2.546,  0.   ,  0.   ],
       [ 0.   ,  2.546,  0.   ],
       [ 0.   ,  0.   ,  3.6  ]])
>>> a3.cell
array([[ 3.6,  0. ,  0. ],
       [ 0. ,  3.6,  0. ],
       [ 0. ,  0. ,  3.6]])

a1 a2 a3

Nanotubes

ase.build.nanotube(n, m, length=1, bond=1.42, symbol='C', verbose=False, vacuum=None)[source]

Create an atomic structure.

Creates a single-walled nanotube whose structure is specified using the standardized (n, m) notation.

Parameters:
  • n (int) – n in the (n, m) notation.

  • m (int) – m in the (n, m) notation.

  • length (int, optional) – Length (axial repetitions) of the nanotube.

  • bond (float, optional) – Bond length between neighboring atoms.

  • symbol (str, optional) – Chemical element to construct the nanotube from.

  • verbose (bool, optional) – If True, will display key geometric parameters.

Returns:

An ASE Atoms object corresponding to the specified molecule.

Return type:

ase.atoms.Atoms

Examples

>>> from ase.build import nanotube
>>> atoms1 = nanotube(6, 0, length=4)
>>> atoms2 = nanotube(3, 3, length=6, bond=1.4, symbol='Si')

examples:

>>> from ase.build import nanotube
>>> cnt1 = nanotube(6, 0, length=4)
>>> cnt2 = nanotube(3, 3, length=6, bond=1.4, symbol='Si')

cnt1 cnt2

Graphene nanoribbons

ase.build.graphene_nanoribbon(n, m, type='zigzag', saturated=False, C_H=1.09, C_C=1.42, vacuum=None, magnetic=False, initial_mag=1.12, sheet=False, main_element='C', saturate_element='H')[source]

Create a graphene nanoribbon.

Creates a graphene nanoribbon in the x-z plane, with the nanoribbon running along the z axis.

Parameters:

n: int

The width of the nanoribbon. For armchair nanoribbons, this n may be half-integer to repeat by half a cell.

m: int

The length of the nanoribbon.

type: str

The orientation of the ribbon. Must be either ‘zigzag’ or ‘armchair’.

saturated: bool

If true, hydrogen atoms are placed along the edge.

C_H: float

Carbon-hydrogen bond length. Default: 1.09 Angstrom.

C_C: float

Carbon-carbon bond length. Default: 1.42 Angstrom.

vacuum: None (default) or float

Amount of vacuum added to non-periodic directions, if present.

magnetic: bool

Make the edges magnetic.

initial_mag: float

Magnitude of magnetic moment if magnetic.

sheet: bool

If true, make an infinite sheet instead of a ribbon (default: False)

examples:

>>> from ase.build import graphene_nanoribbon
>>> gnr1 = graphene_nanoribbon(3, 4, type='armchair', saturated=True,
                               vacuum=3.5)
>>> gnr2 = graphene_nanoribbon(2, 6, type='zigzag', saturated=True,
...                            C_H=1.1, C_C=1.4, vacuum=3.0,
...                            magnetic=True, initial_mag=1.12)

gnr1 gnr2

ASE contains a number of modules for setting up atomic structures, mainly molecules, bulk crystals and surfaces. Some of these modules have overlapping functionality, but strike a different balance between flexibility and ease-of-use.

Attaching structures

ase.build.attach.attach(atoms1, atoms2, distance, direction=(1, 0, 0), maxiter=50, accuracy=1e-05)[source]

Attach two structures

Parameters:
  • atoms1 (Atoms) – cell and pbc of this object are used

  • atoms2 (Atoms) –

  • distance (float) – minimal distance (Angstrom)

  • direction (unit vector (3 floats)) – relative direction between center of masses

  • maxiter (int) – maximal number of iterations to get required distance, default 100

  • accuracy (float) – required accuracy for minimal distance (Angstrom), default 1e-5

Return type:

Joined structure as an atoms object.

ase.build.attach.attach_randomly(atoms1, atoms2, distance, rng=<module 'numpy.random' from '/tmp/ase-docs/venv/lib/python3.11/site-packages/numpy/random/__init__.py'>)[source]

Randomly attach two structures with a given minimal distance

Parameters:
  • atoms1 (Atoms object) –

  • atoms2 (Atoms object) –

  • distance (float) – Required distance

  • rng (random number generator object) – defaults to np.random.RandomState()

Return type:

Joined structure as an atoms object.

ase.build.attach.attach_randomly_and_broadcast(atoms1, atoms2, distance, rng=<module 'numpy.random' from '/tmp/ase-docs/venv/lib/python3.11/site-packages/numpy/random/__init__.py'>, comm=<ase.parallel.MPI object>)[source]
Randomly attach two structures with a given minimal distance

and ensure that these are distributed.

Parameters:
  • atoms1 (Atoms object) –

  • atoms2 (Atoms object) –

  • distance (float) – Required distance

  • rng (random number generator object) – defaults to np.random.RandomState()

  • comm (communicator to distribute) – Communicator to distribute the structure, default: world

Return type:

Joined structure as an atoms object.