OUTCAR

OUTCAR is a file generated by the VASP (Vienna Ab initio Simulation Package) software, a popular computational material science program. This file is a crucial output, containing detailed information about the electronic structure and properties of a simulated material. It typically includes the total energy of the system, the forces acting on each atom, and the stress tensor. Beyond these fundamental values, OUTCAR also stores information about the convergence of the calculation, such as the energy difference between successive electronic steps. Furthermore, it can contain data related to the magnetic moments of atoms, the density of states, and band structures, depending on the specific simulation parameters used. The OUTCAR file is essential for analyzing and interpreting the results of VASP simulations, enabling researchers to understand material behavior at the atomic and electronic levels. Its contents are often parsed by other programs for further analysis and visualization.