[v2.13.0] - 2026-XX-XX

Saddle-search and NEB get new capabilities. ARTn (Activation-Relaxation Technique nouveau) is wired in via the pARTn Fortran library, both as a standalone method (method = artn) and as a drop-in eigenmode backend (min_mode_method = artn). OCINEB (Off-Path Climbing Image NEB) is the recommended hybrid method for automated saddle-point refinement in production workflows (Goswami et al. [NEB_GGJonsson26]). IRA (Iterative Rotations and Assignments) provides structure comparison and SOFI point-group detection.

NEB is decomposed into a strategy-pattern: tangent, projection, spring force, OCINEB controller, spline extrema, initial paths, and objective function are now pluggable components. Parallel image evaluation via C++20 threads lands in both NEB (per-image) and improved dimer (two replicas). Highway SIMD is added as an optional subproject; hand-written kernels for Morse/LJ/EAM pair loops are staged for a follow-up release.

The artn-plugin subproject tracks upstream mammasmias/artn-plugin directly; consumers no longer need to pin the HaoZeke personal fork.

Contents

• Release notes