An Efficient Algorithm for Solving the Phase Field Crystal Model

We present and discuss how to develop an unconditionally stable algorithm for solving the Phase Field Crystal (PFC) model. This algorithm allows for an arbitrarily large algorithmic time step. In order to study the accuracy of the algorithm, we determine an effective time step in Fourier space, and use this quantity as the basis of our analysis. Comparing our calculations with a set of representative numerical results, we demonstrate that this algorithm is an effective approach for the study of the PFC models. As the PFC model is just a simple example of a wide class of density function theories, we expect this method will have wide applicability to modeling systems of considerable interest to the materials modeling communities