def gb_from_parameters(self, rotation_axis, rotation_angle, expand_times=4, vacuum_thickness=0.0,
                           ab_shift=[0, 0], normal=False, ratio=None, plane=None, max_search=20,
                           tol_coi=1.e-8, rm_ratio=0.7, quick_gen=False):

        """
        Args:
           rotation_axis (list): Rotation axis of GB in the form of a list of integer
                e.g.: [1, 1, 0]
           rotation_angle (float, in unit of degree): rotation angle used to generate GB.
                Make sure the angle is accurate enough. You can use the enum* functions
                in this class to extract the accurate angle.
                e.g.: The rotation angle of sigma 3 twist GB with the rotation axis
                [1, 1, 1] and GB plane (1, 1, 1) can be 60.000000000 degree.
                If you do not know the rotation angle, but know the sigma value, we have
                provide the function get_rotation_angle_from_sigma which is able to return
                all the rotation angles of sigma value you provided.
           expand_times (int): The multiple times used to expand one unit grain to larger grain.
                This is used to tune the grain length of GB to warrant that the two GBs in one
                cell do not interact with each other. Default set to 4.
           vacuum_thickness (float, in angstrom): The thickness of vacuum that you want to insert
                between two grains of the GB. Default to 0.
            ab_shift (list of float, in unit of a, b vectors of Gb): in plane shift of two grains
            normal (logic):
                determine if need to require the c axis of top grain (first transformation matrix)
                perperdicular to the surface or not.
                default to false.
            ratio (list of integers):
                    lattice axial ratio.
                    For cubic system, ratio is not needed.
                    For tetragonal system, ratio = [mu, mv], list of two integers,
                    that is, mu/mv = c2/a2. If it is irrational, set it to none.
                    For orthorhombic system, ratio = [mu, lam, mv], list of three integers,
                    that is, mu:lam:mv = c2:b2:a2. If irrational for one axis, set it to None.
                    e.g. mu:lam:mv = c2,None,a2, means b2 is irrational.
                    For rhombohedral system, ratio = [mu, mv], list of two integers,
                    that is, mu/mv is the ratio of (1+2*cos(alpha))/cos(alpha).
                    If irrational, set it to None.
                    For hexagonal system, ratio = [mu, mv], list of two integers,
                    that is, mu/mv = c2/a2. If it is irrational, set it to none.
                    This code also supplies a class method to generate the ratio from the
                    structure (get_ratio). User can also make their own approximation and
                    input the ratio directly.
            plane (list): Grain boundary plane in the form of a list of integers
                e.g.: [1, 2, 3]. If none, we set it as twist GB. The plane will be perpendicular
                to the rotation axis.
            max_search (int): max search for the GB lattice vectors that give the smallest GB
                lattice. If normal is true, also max search the GB c vector that perpendicular
                to the plane. For complex GB, if you want to speed up, you can reduce this value.
                But too small of this value may lead to error.
            tol_coi (float): tolerance to find the coincidence sites. When making approximations to
                the ratio needed to generate the GB, you probably need to increase this tolerance to
                obtain the correct number of coincidence sites. To check the number of coincidence
                sites are correct or not, you can compare the generated Gb object's sigma_from_site_prop
                with enum* sigma values (what user expected by input).
            rm_ratio (float): the criteria to remove the atoms which are too close with each other.
                rm_ratio*bond_length of bulk system is the criteria of bond length, below which the atom
                will be removed. Default to 0.7.
            quick_gen (bool): whether to quickly generate a supercell, if set to true, no need to
                find the smallest cell.

        Returns:
           Grain boundary structure (gb object).
               """
        lat_type = self.lat_type
        # if the initial structure is primitive cell in cubic system,
        # calculate the transformation matrix from its conventional cell
        # to primitive cell, basically for bcc and fcc systems.
        trans_cry = np.eye(3)
        if lat_type == 'c':
            analyzer = SpacegroupAnalyzer(self.initial_structure)
            convention_cell = analyzer.get_conventional_standard_structure()
            vol_ratio = self.initial_structure.volume / convention_cell.volume
            # bcc primitive cell, belong to cubic system
            if abs(vol_ratio - 0.5) < 1.e-3:
                trans_cry = np.array([[0.5, 0.5, -0.5], [-0.5, 0.5, 0.5], [0.5, -0.5, 0.5]])
                logger.info("Make sure this is for cubic with bcc primitive cell")
            # fcc primitive cell, belong to cubic system
            elif abs(vol_ratio - 0.25) < 1.e-3:
                trans_cry = np.array([[0.5, 0.5, 0], [0, 0.5, 0.5], [0.5, 0, 0.5]])
                logger.info("Make sure this is for cubic with fcc primitive cell")
            else:
                logger.info("Make sure this is for cubic with conventional cell")
        elif lat_type == 't':
            logger.info("Make sure this is for tetragonal system")
            if ratio is None:
                logger.info('Make sure this is for irrational c2/a2')
            elif len(ratio) != 2:
                raise RuntimeError('Tetragonal system needs correct c2/a2 ratio')
        elif lat_type == 'o':
            logger.info('Make sure this is for orthorhombic system')
            if ratio is None:
                raise RuntimeError('CSL does not exist if all axial ratios are irrational '
                                   'for an orthorhombic system')
            elif len(ratio) != 3:
                raise RuntimeError('Orthorhombic system needs correct c2:b2:a2 ratio')
        elif lat_type == 'h':
            logger.info('Make sure this is for hexagonal system')
            if ratio is None:
                logger.info('Make sure this is for irrational c2/a2')
            elif len(ratio) != 2:
                raise RuntimeError('Hexagonal system needs correct c2/a2 ratio')
        elif lat_type == 'r':
            logger.info('Make sure this is for rhombohedral system')
            if ratio is None:
                logger.info('Make sure this is for irrational (1+2*cos(alpha)/cos(alpha) ratio')
            elif len(ratio) != 2:
                raise RuntimeError('Rhombohedral system needs correct '
                                   '(1+2*cos(alpha)/cos(alpha) ratio')
        else:
            raise RuntimeError('Lattice type not implemented. This code works for cubic, '
                               'tetragonal, orthorhombic, rhombehedral, hexagonal systems')

        # transform four index notation to three index notation for hexagonal and rhombohedral
        if len(rotation_axis) == 4:
            u1 = rotation_axis[0]
            v1 = rotation_axis[1]
            w1 = rotation_axis[3]
            if lat_type.lower() == 'h':
                u = 2 * u1 + v1
                v = 2 * v1 + u1
                w = w1
                rotation_axis = [u, v, w]
            elif lat_type.lower() == 'r':
                u = 2 * u1 + v1 + w1
                v = v1 + w1 - u1
                w = w1 - 2 * v1 - u1
                rotation_axis = [u, v, w]

        # make sure gcd(rotation_axis)==1
        if reduce(gcd, rotation_axis) != 1:
            rotation_axis = [int(round(x / reduce(gcd, rotation_axis))) for x in rotation_axis]
        # transform four index notation to three index notation for plane
        if plane is not None:
            if len(plane) == 4:
                u1 = plane[0]
                v1 = plane[1]
                w1 = plane[3]
                plane = [u1, v1, w1]
        # set the plane for grain boundary when plane is None.
        if plane is None:
            if lat_type.lower() == 'c':
                plane = rotation_axis
            else:
                if lat_type.lower() == 'h':
                    if ratio is None:
                        c2_a2_ratio = 1
                    else:
                        c2_a2_ratio = ratio[0] / ratio[1]
                    metric = np.array([[1, -0.5, 0], [-0.5, 1, 0], [0, 0, c2_a2_ratio]])
                elif lat_type.lower() == 'r':
                    if ratio is None:
                        cos_alpha = 0.5
                    else:
                        cos_alpha = 1.0 / (ratio[0] / ratio[1] - 2)
                    metric = np.array([[1, cos_alpha, cos_alpha], [cos_alpha, 1, cos_alpha],
                                       [cos_alpha, cos_alpha, 1]])
                elif lat_type.lower() == 't':
                    if ratio is None:
                        c2_a2_ratio = 1
                    else:
                        c2_a2_ratio = ratio[0] / ratio[1]
                    metric = np.array([[1, 0, 0], [0, 1, 0], [0, 0, c2_a2_ratio]])
                elif lat_type.lower() == 'o':
                    for i in range(3):
                        if ratio[i] is None:
                            ratio[i] = 1
                    metric = np.array([[1, 0, 0], [0, ratio[1] / ratio[2], 0],
                                       [0, 0, ratio[0] / ratio[2]]])
                else:
                    raise RuntimeError('Lattice type has not implemented.')

                plane = np.matmul(rotation_axis, metric)
                fractions = [Fraction(x).limit_denominator() for x in plane]
                least_mul = reduce(lcm, [f.denominator for f in fractions])
                plane = [int(round(x * least_mul)) for x in plane]

        if reduce(gcd, plane) != 1:
            index = reduce(gcd, plane)
            plane = [int(round(x / index)) for x in plane]

        t1, t2 = self.get_trans_mat(r_axis=rotation_axis, angle=rotation_angle, normal=normal,
                                    trans_cry=trans_cry, lat_type=lat_type, ratio=ratio,
                                    surface=plane, max_search=max_search, quick_gen=quick_gen)

        # find the join_plane
        if lat_type.lower() != 'c':
            if lat_type.lower() == 'h':
                if ratio is None:
                    mu, mv = [1, 1]
                else:
                    mu, mv = ratio
                trans_cry1 = np.array([[1, 0, 0], [-0.5, np.sqrt(3.0) / 2.0, 0],
                                       [0, 0, np.sqrt(mu / mv)]])
            elif lat_type.lower() == 'r':
                if ratio is None:
                    c2_a2_ratio = 1
                else:
                    mu, mv = ratio
                    c2_a2_ratio = 3.0 / (2 - 6 * mv / mu)
                trans_cry1 = np.array([[0.5, np.sqrt(3.0) / 6.0, 1.0 / 3 * np.sqrt(c2_a2_ratio)],
                                       [-0.5, np.sqrt(3.0) / 6.0, 1.0 / 3 * np.sqrt(c2_a2_ratio)],
                                       [0, -1 * np.sqrt(3.0) / 3.0, 1.0 / 3 * np.sqrt(c2_a2_ratio)]])
            else:
                if lat_type.lower() == 't':
                    if ratio is None:
                        mu, mv = [1, 1]
                    else:
                        mu, mv = ratio
                    lam = mv
                elif lat_type.lower() == 'o':
                    new_ratio = [1 if v is None else v for v in ratio]
                    mu, lam, mv = new_ratio
                trans_cry1 = np.array([[1, 0, 0], [0, np.sqrt(lam / mv), 0], [0, 0, np.sqrt(mu / mv)]])
        else:
            trans_cry1 = trans_cry
        grain_matrix = np.dot(t2, trans_cry1)
        plane_init = np.cross(grain_matrix[0], grain_matrix[1])
        if lat_type.lower() != 'c':
            plane_init = np.dot(plane_init, trans_cry1.T)
        join_plane = self.vec_to_surface(plane_init)

        parent_structure = self.initial_structure.copy()
        # calculate the bond_length in bulk system.
        if len(parent_structure) == 1:
            temp_str = parent_structure.copy()
            temp_str.make_supercell([1, 1, 2])
            distance = temp_str.distance_matrix
        else:
            distance = parent_structure.distance_matrix
        bond_length = np.min(distance[np.nonzero(distance)])

        # top grain
        top_grain = fix_pbc(parent_structure * t1)

        # obtain the smallest oriended cell
        if normal and not quick_gen:
            t_temp = self.get_trans_mat(r_axis=rotation_axis, angle=rotation_angle, normal=False,
                                        trans_cry=trans_cry, lat_type=lat_type, ratio=ratio,
                                        surface=plane, max_search=max_search)
            oriended_unit_cell = fix_pbc(parent_structure * t_temp[0])
            t_matrix = oriended_unit_cell.lattice.matrix
            normal_v_plane = np.cross(t_matrix[0], t_matrix[1])
            unit_normal_v = normal_v_plane / np.linalg.norm(normal_v_plane)
            unit_ab_adjust = (t_matrix[2] - np.dot(unit_normal_v, t_matrix[2]) * unit_normal_v) \
                             / np.dot(unit_normal_v, t_matrix[2])
        else:
            oriended_unit_cell = top_grain.copy()
            unit_ab_adjust = 0.0

        # bottom grain, using top grain's lattice matrix
        bottom_grain = fix_pbc(parent_structure * t2, top_grain.lattice.matrix)

        # label both grains with 'top','bottom','top_incident','bottom_incident'
        n_sites = top_grain.num_sites
        t_and_b = Structure(top_grain.lattice, top_grain.species + bottom_grain.species,
                            list(top_grain.frac_coords) + list(bottom_grain.frac_coords))
        t_and_b_dis = t_and_b.lattice.get_all_distances(t_and_b.frac_coords[0:n_sites],
                                                        t_and_b.frac_coords[n_sites:n_sites * 2])
        index_incident = np.nonzero(t_and_b_dis < np.min(t_and_b_dis) + tol_coi)

        top_labels = []
        for i in range(n_sites):
            if i in index_incident[0]:
                top_labels.append('top_incident')
            else:
                top_labels.append('top')
        bottom_labels = []
        for i in range(n_sites):
            if i in index_incident[1]:
                bottom_labels.append('bottom_incident')
            else:
                bottom_labels.append('bottom')
        top_grain = Structure(Lattice(top_grain.lattice.matrix), top_grain.species,
                              top_grain.frac_coords, site_properties={'grain_label': top_labels})
        bottom_grain = Structure(Lattice(bottom_grain.lattice.matrix), bottom_grain.species,
                                 bottom_grain.frac_coords, site_properties={'grain_label': bottom_labels})

        # expand both grains
        top_grain.make_supercell([1, 1, expand_times])
        bottom_grain.make_supercell([1, 1, expand_times])
        top_grain = fix_pbc(top_grain)
        bottom_grain = fix_pbc(bottom_grain)

        # determine the top-grain location.
        edge_b = 1.0 - max(bottom_grain.frac_coords[:, 2])
        edge_t = 1.0 - max(top_grain.frac_coords[:, 2])
        c_adjust = (edge_t - edge_b) / 2.0

        # construct all species
        all_species = []
        all_species.extend([site.specie for site in bottom_grain])
        all_species.extend([site.specie for site in top_grain])

        half_lattice = top_grain.lattice
        # calculate translation vector, perpendicular to the plane
        normal_v_plane = np.cross(half_lattice.matrix[0], half_lattice.matrix[1])
        unit_normal_v = normal_v_plane / np.linalg.norm(normal_v_plane)
        translation_v = unit_normal_v * vacuum_thickness

        # construct the final lattice
        whole_matrix_no_vac = np.array(half_lattice.matrix)
        whole_matrix_no_vac[2] = half_lattice.matrix[2] * 2
        whole_matrix_with_vac = whole_matrix_no_vac.copy()
        whole_matrix_with_vac[2] = whole_matrix_no_vac[2] + translation_v * 2
        whole_lat = Lattice(whole_matrix_with_vac)

        # construct the coords, move top grain with translation_v
        all_coords = []
        grain_labels = bottom_grain.site_properties['grain_label'] \
                       + top_grain.site_properties['grain_label']
        for site in bottom_grain:
            all_coords.append(site.coords)
        for site in top_grain:
            all_coords.append(site.coords + half_lattice.matrix[2] * (1 + c_adjust) +
                              unit_ab_adjust * np.linalg.norm(half_lattice.matrix[2] * (1 + c_adjust)) +
                              translation_v + ab_shift[0] * whole_matrix_with_vac[0] +
                              ab_shift[1] * whole_matrix_with_vac[1])

        gb_with_vac = Structure(whole_lat, all_species, all_coords,
                                coords_are_cartesian=True,
                                site_properties={'grain_label': grain_labels})
        # merge closer atoms. extract near gb atoms.
        cos_c_norm_plane = np.dot(unit_normal_v, whole_matrix_with_vac[2]) / whole_lat.c
        range_c_len = abs(bond_length / cos_c_norm_plane / whole_lat.c)
        sites_near_gb = []
        sites_away_gb = []
        for site in gb_with_vac.sites:
            if site.frac_coords[2] < range_c_len or site.frac_coords[2] > 1 - range_c_len \
                    or (site.frac_coords[2] > 0.5 - range_c_len and site.frac_coords[2] < 0.5 + range_c_len):
                sites_near_gb.append(site)
            else:
                sites_away_gb.append(site)
        if len(sites_near_gb) >= 1:
            s_near_gb = Structure.from_sites(sites_near_gb)
            s_near_gb.merge_sites(tol=bond_length * rm_ratio, mode='d')
            all_sites = sites_away_gb + s_near_gb.sites
            gb_with_vac = Structure.from_sites(all_sites)

        return GrainBoundary(whole_lat, gb_with_vac.species, gb_with_vac.cart_coords, rotation_axis,
                             rotation_angle, plane, join_plane, self.initial_structure,
                             vacuum_thickness, ab_shift, site_properties=gb_with_vac.site_properties,
                             oriented_unit_cell=oriended_unit_cell,
                             coords_are_cartesian=True)