Analysis of an optimization-based atomistic-to-continuum coupling method   for point defects
  We formulate and analyze an optimization-based Atomistic-to-Continuum (AtC) coupling method for problems with point defects. Near the defect core the method employs a potential-based atomistic model, which enables accurate simulation of the defect. Away from the core, where site energies become nearly independent of the lattice position, the method switches to a more efficient continuum model. The two models are merged by minimizing the mismatch of their states on an overlap region, subject to the atomistic and continuum force balance equations acting independently in their domains. We prove that the optimization problem is well-posed and establish error estimates. 
Derek Olson, Alexander V. Shapeev, Pavel Bochev, and Mitchell Luskin
math.NA