The second “School on the Calculation of Ionic Quantum and Anharmonic Effects with the Stochastic Self-Consistent Harmonic Approximation” will take place online from June 8–12, 2026. This edition will offer an excellent opportunity to explore the fundamental physics behind the SSCHA code and engage in hands-on training sessions guided by the code’s developers.
This school is ideal for participants interested in learning how to compute thermodynamic, vibrational, transport, spectroscopic, and superconducting properties in strongly anharmonic materials, as well as for those wishing to become familiar with the latest advances in the SSCHA framework. The program will begin with introductory lectures and practical sessions covering the core concepts of the SSCHA and basic calculations. Subsequently, more specialized lectures will delve into phase transitions, spectroscopic properties, thermal conductivity, and electron–phonon interactions. During the hands-on sessions, participants will learn how to compute the critical temperature of charge-density-wave transitions, Raman and infrared spectra of strongly anharmonic systems, thermal conductivity at multiple theoretical levels, and the superconducting properties of materials, even in regimes where the harmonic approximation fails.
All lectures and practical activities will be delivered online. Depending on the number of registered students, hands-on sessions will be performed in different groups in parallel. While no prior experience with the SSCHA is required, participants are encouraged to have some background in phonon theory and familiarity with computer simulations using ab initio methods or force fields.
We look forward to welcoming you this June to explore the capabilities and subtleties of the SSCHA.
In this website you can find the following information:
Lecturers and instructors
Raffaello Bianco - Università degli studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia, Italy
Ion Errea - University of the Basque Country, Spain
Lorenzo Monacelli - La Sapienza University, Italy
Đorđe Dangić - University of the Basque Country, Spain
More names to be announced soon.
Hands-On sessions
The material for the hands-on sessions will be shared with the students after registration closes.
Program
| Monday, June 8 |
Tuesday, June 9 |
Wednesday, June 10 |
Thursday, June 11 |
Friday, June 12 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13:00-14:30 CET | Lecture1: Lecturer1 Theory of lattice vibrations, anharmonicity, and the SSCHA |
Lecture2: Lecturer2 First and second-order phase transitions in the SSCHA |
Lecture3: Lecturer3 Spectral functions, Raman and infrared spectra of strongly anharmonic materials |
Lecture4: Lecturer4 Thermal conductivity in strongly anharmonic crystals |
Lecture5: Lecturer5 Theory of the electron-phonon interaction and superconductivity in anharmonic crystals |
| 14:30-14:45 CET | Break | Break | Break | Break | Break |
| 14:45-17:00 CET | Hands-on-session1: Several Instructors First SSCHA simulations: free energy and structural relaxations |
Hands-on-session2: Several Instructors Structural phase transitions with the SSCHA |
Hands-on-session3: Several Instructors Spectral functions, Raman and infrared spectra with the SSCHA |
Hands-on-session4: Several Instructors Thermal conductivity calculations with the SSCHA |
Hands-on-session5: Several Instructors Electron-phonon calculations with SSCHA phonons |
Registration
Registration is now open. Deadline is May 17, 2026.
The registration includes all the school material, lectures, and hands-on sessions. There is a limited number of students that can be accepted. Students will be accepted on a first come, first served basis. So register as soon as possible.
In order to register follow this link:
Organizers and contact
The organizers of the school are:
- Ion Errea - University of the Basque Country, Spain
- Lorenzo Monacelli - La Sapienza University, Italy
- Raffaello Bianco - Università degli studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia, Italy
You may contact us at this email address: codesscha@gmail.com