Error reading item SMEARINGS from file INCAR

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muhammadsufyan_razman
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Error reading item SMEARINGS from file INCAR

#1 Post by muhammadsufyan_razman » Tue Jul 01, 2025 11:37 am

Dear all,
I am trying SMEARINGS parameter, here is my INCAR file:

Code: Select all

Lattice Relaxation
NSW    =  6          (number of ionic steps)
#ISMEAR =  0            (gaussian smearing method )
#SIGMA  =  0.05         (please check the width of the smearing)
IBRION = -1            (Algorithm: 0-MD, 1-Quasi-New, 2-CG)
ISIF   =  2            (optimize atomic coordinates and lattice parameters)
EDIFFG = -1.5E-02      (Ionic convergence, eV/A)
PREC   =  Accurate     (Precision level)
POTIM  = 0.25000      Default- 0.50
LDIPOL = .TRUE.
IDIOPL = 3
ISMEAR = -3
SMEARINGS = 0 0.03 0 0.05 0 0.1 0 0.2 1 0.2 2 0.2
 

I am using vasp/6.4.3, but the code is unable to read the SMEARINGS parameter:

Code: Select all

 POTCAR:    PAW_PBE Pd 04Jan2005                  
POTCAR: PAW_PBE Se 06Sep2000
Loop over smearing-parameters in INCAR ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | | EEEEEEE RRRRRR RRRRRR OOOOOOO RRRRRR ### ### ### | | E R R R R O O R R ### ### ### | | E R R R R O O R R ### ### ### | | EEEEE RRRRRR RRRRRR O O RRRRRR # # # | | E R R R R O O R R | | E R R R R O O R R ### ### ### | | EEEEEEE R R R R OOOOOOO R R ### ### ### | | | | Error reading item SMEARINGS from file INCAR. | | Error code was IERR= 5 ... . | | | | ----> I REFUSE TO CONTINUE WITH THIS SICK JOB ... BYE!!! <---- | | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------

I checked there is no hidden character or anything at the end of line defining SMEARINGS. Also, I have tried IBRION = 0 (default one) and fewer no. of ismear and sigma pairs, but still no success.
I would really appreciate it if anyone could help with this issue.


andreas.singraber
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Re: Error reading item SMEARINGS from file INCAR

#2 Post by andreas.singraber » Wed Jul 02, 2025 10:13 am

Hello!

Thank you for reporting this problem! I was able to reproduce the error and I am quite sure there are no mistakes in the INCAR tags. I looked also into the source code and I am very sure that the erroneous behavior is present in all published VASP 6 versions. VASP 5.4.4 in principle does the correct loop but for some reason the order of the smearings is inverted.

Anyway, I am afraid that the feature of automatically looping over smearing parameters with ISMEAR = -3 is broken in VASP 6. So unfortunately, I have to ask you to write your own (bash) script to loop over smearings manually instead.

I am already working on a bugfix which should be available in the next VASP release. I am very sorry for this inconvenience, thank you again for reporting this bug!

All the best,
Andreas Singraber

P.S. Moving this topic to the Bug reports forum.


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