[QE-users] Difficulty in scf convergence of the system having rare earth element

Rubee Swarnkar Rubee1702 at outlook.com
Sun May 3 21:01:18 CEST 2026


Hi,
Dear QE users,
I am trying to relax a system using DFT+U that contains the rare‑earth element terbium (Tb). However, the convergence is very slow; even when the inner cycle appears to pass the convergence threshold, it take very long to converge and seems like stuck in one step. This behaviour  repeats after 7 scf cycle. Why does this behavior occur?  can anyone suggest me how can it be fixed? I am attaching the input file and the output for reference.

Thank you for your kind attention.
………………..........................................................

&CONTROL
   calculation = 'relax'
   restart_mode = 'restart'
   prefix = ‘DD_str'
   pseudo_dir = ‘./pseudo'
   outdir = './tmp'
   tprnfor = .true.
   wf_collect = .true.
   verbosity = 'high'
   nstep = 500
/


&SYSTEM
   ibrav  = 0
   nat = 113
   ntyp = 4
   ecutwfc = 80
   ecutrho = 480
   nspin = 2
   occupations = 'smearing'
   smearing = 'mv'
   degauss = 0.001
   input_dft = 'vdW-DF2-B86R'
   starting_magnetization(1) = 0.7
    lda_plus_u       = .true.
    lda_plus_u_kind = 0
    Hubbard_U(1)     = 6
    U_projection_type = 'atomic'
/

&ELECTRONS
    mixing_mode = 'local-TF'
    mixing_beta = 0.3
    conv_thr =  1.0d-7,
    electron_maxstep = 400
/

&IONS
/



………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

The scf cycle
     estimated scf accuracy    <          2.5E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          2.7E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          2.3E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.7E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.5E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.5E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.5E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.6E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.5E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.5E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.5E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.5E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.5E-09 Ry
     number of scf cycles    =  28
     estimated scf accuracy    <       0.00177533 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <       0.00097857 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <       0.00001167 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <       0.00000506 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <       0.00000086 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <       0.00000043 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <       0.00000019 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <       0.00000014 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <       0.00000007 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <       0.00000006 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <       0.00000004 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <       0.00000003 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <       0.00000002 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <       0.00000001 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <       0.00000001 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          9.2E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          6.6E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          6.0E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          6.1E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          4.1E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          3.7E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          3.5E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          3.0E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          2.8E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          2.5E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          2.4E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          2.3E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          2.2E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          2.1E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          2.0E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.9E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.9E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.9E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.9E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.9E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.9E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.9E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.9E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.9E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.9E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.9E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.9E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.9E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.9E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.9E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.9E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.9E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.9E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.9E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.9E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.9E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.9E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.9E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.9E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.9E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.9E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.9E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.9E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.9E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.9E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.9E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.9E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.9E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          2.0E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.9E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          2.1E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          2.0E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.9E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.9E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.9E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.9E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.9E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.9E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.9E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.9E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.9E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.9E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.9E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.9E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.9E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.9E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.9E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.9E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.9E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.9E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.9E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.9E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.9E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          2.0E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.9E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          2.0E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          2.0E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.9E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.9E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.9E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.9E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.9E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.9E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.9E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.9E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.9E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.9E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.9E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.9E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.9E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.9E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.9E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.9E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.9E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.9E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.9E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.9E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.9E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.8E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.8E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.8E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.9E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.8E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.8E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.8E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.8E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.8E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.8E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.8E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.8E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.8E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.8E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.8E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.8E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.8E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.8E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.8E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.8E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.8E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.9E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.9E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.8E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.9E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.9E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.9E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.9E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.8E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.8E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.8E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.8E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.8E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.9E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.9E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.9E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.9E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.9E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.9E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.8E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          2.0E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.8E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.8E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.7E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.8E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.7E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.7E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.9E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.7E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.7E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.7E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.7E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.7E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.8E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.7E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.7E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.7E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.7E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.7E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.7E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.7E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.6E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.6E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.6E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.6E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.6E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.6E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.6E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.6E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.5E-09 Ry
     number of scf cycles    =  29
     estimated scf accuracy    <       0.00039020 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <       0.00021700 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <       0.00000297 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <       0.00000117 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <       0.00000026 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <       0.00000012 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <       0.00000006 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <       0.00000004 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <       0.00000002 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <       0.00000002 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          9.8E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          8.2E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          5.1E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          4.4E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          3.5E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          3.1E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          2.6E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          2.4E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          2.1E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          2.1E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.9E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.8E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.7E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.7E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.6E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.6E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.6E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.6E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.6E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.5E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.5E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.5E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.5E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.5E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.5E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.5E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.5E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.5E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.5E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.5E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.6E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.6E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.6E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.6E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.5E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.5E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.5E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.5E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.5E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.5E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.5E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.5E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.5E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.5E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.8E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.8E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.8E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.6E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.7E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.6E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.8E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.7E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.5E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.5E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.5E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.5E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.5E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.5E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.5E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.5E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.5E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.5E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.5E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.5E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.5E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.5E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.5E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.5E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.5E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.5E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.5E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.5E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.5E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.5E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.5E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.5E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.5E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.5E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.5E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.5E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.5E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.5E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.5E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.5E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.5E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.5E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.5E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.5E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.5E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.5E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.5E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.5E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.5E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.5E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.6E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.6E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.5E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.5E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.5E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.5E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.5E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.5E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.5E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.6E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.5E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.5E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.5E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.5E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.4E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.4E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.4E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.4E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.4E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.4E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          2.1E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <       0.00000005 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          9.7E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <       0.00000016 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <       0.00000033 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <       0.00000012 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <       0.00000009 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <       0.00000012 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <       0.00000019 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <       0.00000021 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <       0.00000004 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <       0.00000005 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <       0.00000002 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <       0.00000002 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <       0.00000009 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <       0.00000004 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          6.4E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <       0.00000004 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <       0.00000005 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <       0.00000001 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          2.5E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <       0.00000002 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          3.2E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          5.6E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          2.2E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <       0.00000001 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          3.7E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <       0.00000013 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <       0.00000008 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <       0.00000001 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          5.0E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          5.7E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          6.7E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          3.1E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          7.3E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          2.6E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          2.2E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          4.4E-09 Ry
     estimated scf accuracy    <          1.3E-09 Ry


With Regards,
Rubee
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