Tau2

Tau2 is a python package for simulating magnetic relaxation.

Installation via pip

Install tau2 using pip (if using a shared machine, add the --user argument after install)

pip install tau2

Updating

Update the code using pip (if using a shared machine, add the --user argument after install)

pip install tau2 --upgrade

Usage

The tau2 command line interface can be invoked with

tau2 -h

which prints a list of available subprograms.

Additional options for the raman and orbach programs can be viewed with --advanced_help.

Citation

If you've used Tau2 in your work, please cite the Tau2 paper: Atkinson, B. E. & Chilton, N. F. Tau2: A program for the simulation of magnetic relaxation. J. Chem. Theory Comput. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jctc.6c00890 (2026)

Documentation

The documentation for this package is hosted by gitlab, and is automatically generated whenever new code is committed to the main branch. The automatic generation of this documentation relies on a common layout for comments and docstrings within the code, see contributing for more information.

Installation with pip editable install

Only do this if you are developing (i.e. changing) the code.

Clone a copy of this repository, preferably while within a directory called git

mkdir -p git; cd git
git clone https://gitlab.com/chilton-group/tau2

Navigate to the package directory

cd tau2/packages

and install the package in editable mode (if using a shared machine, add the --user argument after install)

pip install -e .

When you're done developing (i.e. your changes have been merged to the master), or if you just want to use the current release version of the package, uninstall using pip

pip uninstall tau2

and follow the Installation via pip instructions above.

Development

Before making changes to this repository, please follow the steps outlined in the Chilton group wiki.

Bugs

If you believe you have a bug, please check that you are using the most up to date version of the code.

If that does not fix the problem, please create an issue on GitLab detailing the following:

• The commands you entered
• The error message

Remember to simplify the problem as much as possible in order to provide a minimum working example, e.g. an example for a small molecule rather than one with 100000 atoms.

Then, look at the code, try and figure out what you think is wrong if possible, and include this in your issue.