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An efficient procedure for the development of optimized Projector Augmented Wave basis functions

In the Projector Augmented Wave (PAW) method, a local potential, basis functions, and projector functions form an All-Electron (AE) basis for valence wave functions in the application of Density Functional Theory (DFT). The construction of these potentials, basis functions and projector functions for each element can be complex, and several codes capable of utilizing the PAW method have been otherwise prevented from its use by the lack of PAW basis sets for all atoms. We have developed a procedure that improves the ease and efficiency of construction of PAW basis sets. An evolutionary algorithm is used to optimize PAW basis sets to accurately reproduce scattering properties of the atom and which converge well with respect to the energy cutoff in a planewave basis. We demonstrate the procedure for the case of Ga with the 4s, 4p, and 3d electrons treated as valence. Calculations with this Ga PAW basis set are efficient and reproduce results of linearized augmented plane wave (LAPW) calculations. We also discuss the relationship between total energy convergence with respect to the energy cutoff and the magnitude of the matching radius of the PAW set.