Abstract
We provide an overview of what has been accomplished by our team, since 1998, in the area of firstprinciples molecular dynamics (FPMD) modeling of glassy chalcogenides, a prototypical family of network disordered materials. After a broad introduction that defines the main motivation and strategy of our approach, we treat several cases by focusing first on a specific issue of generic character (the origin of the first sharp diffraction peak in the neutron structure factor as a signature of intermediate range order) and then on particular systems mostly within (or closely related to) the Ge x Se 1-x binary family. Chalcogenides ternary glasses will also be considered. It appears that first-principle molecular dynamics has acquired an unprecedented level of reliability in the field of glassy chalcogenides, by enriching and complementing successfully the knowledge of these materials.