Adaptive single replica multiple state transition interface sampling

Abstract

The multiple state transition path sampling method allows sampling of rare transitions between many metastable states, but has the drawback that switching between qualitatively different pathways is difficult. Combination with replica exchange transition interface sampling can in principle alleviate this problem, but requires a large number of simultaneous replicas. Here we remove these drawbacks by introducing a single replica sampling algorithm that samples only one interface at a time, while efficiently walking through the entire path space using a Wang-Landau approach or, alternatively, a fixed bias. We illustrate the method on several model systems: a particle diffusing in a simple 2D potential, isomerization in a small Lennard Jones cluster, and isomerization of the alanine dipeptide in explicit water. © 2013 AIP Publishing LLC.