S matrix not positive - MgH2 system

Chemistry and homework help forum.

Organic Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Biochemistry, Physical Chemistry, Computational Chemistry, Theoretical Chemistry, High School Chemistry, Colledge Chemistry and University Chemistry Forum.

Share your chemistry ideas, discuss chemical problems, ask for help with scientific chemistry questions, inspire others by your chemistry vision!

Please feel free to start a scientific chemistry discussion here!

Discuss chemistry homework problems with experts!

Ask for help with chemical questions and help others with your chemistry knowledge!

Moderators: Xen, expert, ChenBeier

Post Reply
RaquelYR
Newbie
Newbie
Posts: 2
Joined: Wed Mar 08, 2023 3:25 am

S matrix not positive - MgH2 system

Post by RaquelYR »

Hi everyone!

I’m trying to run a simple SCF calculation for a MgH₂ structure using Quantum ESPRESSO, but I keep encountering an "S matrix not positive definite" error. I’ve attempted several modifications to the input, but none have resolved the issue:

- Increase Ecutwfc and Ecutrho values
- Increase number of k-points
- Change the pseudopotential
- Change from ibrav=6 to ibrav=0

I suspect that the problem might be related to the geometry of the structure, though it should be correct since it’s a well-known system.

The input i'm using is the following one:

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
&CONTROL
title = 'MgH2' ,
calculation = 'scf' ,
outdir = './' ,
pseudo_dir = './' ,
/
&SYSTEM
ibrav = 6,
A = 4.48 ,
C = 2.99 ,
nat = 15,
ntyp = 2,
ecutwfc = 90 ,
ecutrho = 400 ,
input_dft = 'PBE'
occupations = 'smearing'
smearing = 'gaussian'
degauss = 0.02
/
&ELECTRONS
conv_thr = 1.0d-8
/
&IONS
/
ATOMIC_SPECIES
Mg 24.3050 Mg.pbe-spnl-kjpaw_psl.1.0.0.UPF
H 1.00000 H.pbe-kjpaw_psl.1.0.0.UPF
ATOMIC_POSITIONS angstrom
Mg 0.000000 0.000000 0.000000
Mg 0.000000 0.000000 2.992537
Mg 0.000000 4.476694 0.000000
Mg 0.000000 4.476694 2.992537
Mg 4.476694 0.000000 0.000000
Mg 4.476694 0.000000 2.992537
Mg 4.476694 4.476694 0.000000
Mg 4.476694 4.476694 2.992537
Mg 2.238347 2.238347 1.496269
H 0.875516 3.601178 1.496269
H 3.601178 0.875516 1.496269
H 3.113863 3.113863 0.000000
H 3.113863 3.113863 2.992537
H 1.362831 1.362831 0.000000
H 1.362831 1.362831 2.992537
K_POINTS automatic
4 4 4 1 1 1
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Does anyone know how to solve this problem?

Thank you in advance! :)
User avatar
ChenBeier
Distinguished Member
Distinguished Member
Posts: 1756
Joined: Wed Sep 27, 2017 7:25 am
Location: Berlin, Germany

Re: S matrix not positive - MgH2 system

Post by ChenBeier »

No idea what you showing here.
We dont know Quantum espresso .
Post Reply