Abstract
A fitting scheme is proposed to obtain effective potentials fromCar-Parrinello molecular dynamics (CPMD) simulations. It is used toparameterize a new pair potential for silica. MD simulations with this newpotential are done to determine structural and dynamic properties and tocompare these properties to those obtained from CPMD and a MD simulation usingthe so-called BKS potential. The new potential reproduces accurately the liquidstructure generated by the CPMD trajectories, the experimental activationenergies for the self-diffusion constants and the experimental density ofamorphous silica. Also lattice parameters and elastic constants of alpha-quartzare well-reproduced, showing the transferability of the new potential.