SimplySQS: An automated and reproducible workflow for special quasirandom structure generation with ATAT

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Authors: M. Lebeda, Jan Drahokoupil, Petr Vlčák, Šimon Svoboda, Axel van de Walle
Cited by: 2
References: 36

Abstract

The special quasirandom structure (SQS) method is widely used for modeling disordered materials under periodic boundary conditions, with the ATAT mcsqs module being one of the most established implementations. However, SQS generation with mcsqs typically relies on manual preparation of input files, ad hoc execution scripts, and post-processing steps, which introduces user-dependent errors and limits reproducibility. Here, we present SimplySQS ( https://simplysqs.com ), an automated and reproducible workflow for SQS generation that is delivered through an online, interactive interface. SimplySQS guides users through structure import, compositional and supercell definition, and cluster parameter selection, while automatically generating all required ATAT input files and a single all-in-one execution script that encapsulates the complete search process. By standardizing input preparation, execution, and output analysis, the framework minimizes errors associated with manual file handling and enables consistent reproducibility of SQS searches. The workflow is demonstrated on the Pb 1- x Sr x TiO 3 (PSTO, including PbTiO 3 (PTO) and SrTiO 3 (STO)) perovskite system. SQSs spanning the entire concentration range were generated using a single automated bash script produced by SimplySQS , after which all resulting structures were subjected to geometry optimization using a universal machine-learning interatomic potential (MACE MATPES-r²SCAN-0). This approach reliably reproduced the experimentally observed cubic-to-tetragonal transition near x ≈ 0.5, with lattice parameters deviating by less than 1% in the cubic region ( x > 0.5) and less than 4% in the tetragonal region ( x ≤ 0.5). Overall, SimplySQS transforms SQS generation with ATAT into an intuitive, reproducible, and systematic framework for modeling disordered materials.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Machine Learning in Materials Science Electronic and Structural Properties of Oxides Ferroelectric and Piezoelectric Materials

Publication details

Journal / source
Journal of Computational Science
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Volume
96
Pages
102846–102846
Publication date
18 March 2026
Language
EN