Effect of three-body forces on the lattice dynamics of noble metals

A simple method to generate an effective electron-ion interaction pseudopotential from the energy wave number characteristic obtained by first principles calculations has been suggested. This effective potential has been used, in third order perturbation, to study the effect of three-body forces on the lattice dynamics of noble metals. It is found that three-body forces, in these metals, do play an important role. The inclusion of such three-body forces appreciably improves the agreement between the experimental and theoretical phonon dispersion curves.     

Calculation of the formation energies of isolated vacancy and adatom-vacancy pair at low-index surfaces of fcc metals with MAEAM

The formation energies of isolated vacancy and adatom-vacancy pair (where the two are separated by a large distance) at low-index surfaces of fcc metals calculated by using the modifies analytical embedded atom method (MAEAM). The results predict the prevailing formation of vacancies on the surfaces (1 1 1), (1 0 0) (but Pd), Cu and Ni on the (1 1 0) surfaces at low temperature, and the defect formation energies consistently create in the sequence (1 1 0) → (1 0 0) → (1 1 1). With good accuracy, the calculated energy values coincide with those obtained by the embedded atom methods (EAM) and from experiments. The correctness of the method by which calculated the formation energies of point defects on the surface was proved.     

Computer simulation of symmetrical tilt grain boundaries in noble metals with MAEAM

This paper reports that an atomic scale study of [\bar {1}10] symmetrical tilt grain boundary (STGB) has been made with modified analytical embedded atom method (MAEAM) for 44 planes in three noble metals Au, Ag and Cu. For each metal, the energies of two crystals ideally joined together are unrealistically high due to very short distance between atoms near the grain boundary (GB) plane. A relative slide between grains in the GB plane results in a significant decrease in GB energy and a minimum value is obtained at specific translation distance. The minimum energy of Cu is much higher than that of Ag and Au, while the minimum energy of Ag is slightly higher than that of Au. For all the three metals, the three lowest energies correspond to identical (111), \mbox(113) and \mbox(331) boundary successively for two translations considered; from minimization of GB energy, these boundaries should be preferable in [\bar {1}10] STGB for noble metals. This is consistent with the experimental results. In addition, the minimum energy increases with increasing reciprocal planar coincidence density \Sigma, but decreases with increasing relative interplanar distance d /a.     

Atomic simulation of the vacancies in BCC metals with MAEAM

The formation energy of the mono-vacancy and both the formation energy and binding energy of the di-and tri-vacancy in BCC alkali metals and transition metals have been calculated by using the modified analytical embedded-atom method (MAEAM). The formation energy of each type of configuration of the vacancies in the alkali metals is much lower than that in the transition metals. From minimum of the formation energy or maximum of the binding energy, the favorable configuration of the di-vacancy and tri-vacancy respectively is the first-nearest-neighbor (FN) or second-nearest-neighbor (SN) di-vacancy and the [112] tri-vacancy constructed by two first-and one second-nearest-neighbor vacancies. It is indicated that there is a concentration tendency for vacancies in BCC metals.     

Atomistic structure of stepped surfaces

Atomistic computer simulation with embedded atom method (EAM) interatomic forces was used to study the structure of surface steps on the {111} unreconstructed surface in fcc metallic materials. The energetics and local atomic relaxation behavior of ledges parallel to the 110 direction were studied using a potential describing lattice properties of Au. The vacancy formation energies in the stepped surfaces was also studied, and it was found that the energy of formation of a vacancy in a terrace is the same as that in the perfect unstepped surface. This value is 30% lower than that of the bulk. The vacancy formation energy in the ledge is reduced by a factor of two with respect to that of the terraces. The structure of the “up ledge” (A step) is different from the “down ledge” (B step). These differences do not significantly affect the energy of the ledges, although they do affect the vacancy formation energies in sites in the second surface layer near the ledge. The implications of the results for the formation of kinks and the general structure of high index surfaces are discussed.     

Atomistic simulation of the point defects in TaW ordered alloy

Combining molecular dynamics (MD) simulation with modified analytic embedded-atom method (MAEAM), the formation, migration and activation energies of the point defects for six-kind migration mechanisms in B₂-type TaW alloy have been investigated. The results showed that the anti-site defects Ta_W and W_Ta were easier to form than Ta and W vacancies owing to their lower formation energies. Comparing the migration and activation energies needed for six-kind migration mechanisms of a Ta (or W) vacancy, we found that one nearest-neighbour jump (1NNJ) was the most favourable because of its lowest migration and activation energies, but it would lead to a disorder in the alloy. One next-nearest-neighbour jump (1NNNJ) and one third-nearest-neighbour jump (1TNNJ) could maintain the ordered property of the alloy but required higher migration and activation energies. So the 1NNNJ and 1TNNJ should be replaced by straight [100] six nearest-neighbor cyclic jumps (S[100]6NNCJ) (especially) or bent [100] six nearest-neighbour cyclic jumps (B[100]6NNCJ) and [110] six nearest-neighbor cyclic jumps ([110]6NNCJ), respectively.     

Angle-dependent ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy of sputter cleaned polycrystalline noble metals

Polycrystalline noble metal films are commonly used in practical applications across a variety of different fields. However, the surface electronic structure of the noble metals has primarily only been studied on single crystal substrates. In addition, sputter cleaned polycrystalline noble metal films are commonly used substrates in ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS) studies, but have yet to be systematically studied in terms of their photoemission anisotropy. The angle-dependence of the valence band spectra of sputter cleaned polycrystalline Au, Ag and Cu were studied using angle-resolved UPS. It is found that the photoemission is anisotropic with respect to photoelectron take-off angle. The results for Ag and Cu are in good agreement with previous reports of surface d-band narrowing in polycrystalline noble metal films. However, significant anisotropies in the d-band, s-band and Fermi edge of sputter cleaned Au are observed, which cannot be attributed to surface d-band narrowing alone. The unusual results for Au are attributed to drastic changes in the film morphology near the surface as a result of sputter cleaning.     

Charge-density oscillations at (1 1 1) noble metal surfaces

Induced charge-density oscillations at noble metal surfaces caused by an external static impurity are studied within linear response theory. The calculation takes into account such properties of realistic surface electronic structure as an energy gap for three-dimensional (3D) bulk electrons and a s − p_z surface state that forms two-dimensional (2D) electron system. It is demonstrated that the coexistence of these 2D and 3D electron systems has profound impact on the induced charge-density in the surface region. Thus, the oscillations with the 1/R² decay as a function of lateral distance, R, are established in both electron systems with characteristic chess-board-like structure. Additionally, the charge-density penetrates into the solid at a finite angle with respect to the surface normal in contrast to that in jellium model. The origin of both these findings is investigated.     

Low-pressure plasma cleaning of Au and PtIr noble metal surfaces

The effect of low-pressure hydrogen and oxygen plasma cleaning of Au and PtIr was investigated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Hydrocarbon contamination was efficiently removed by hydrogen and oxygen plasma. Hydrogen plasma additionally reduces oxygen compounds, especially metal oxides, while oxygen plasma results in the formation of a surface layer of Au₂O₃ and PtO, respectively. Both noble metal oxides are unstable and decompose with time. The decomposition of metal oxides occurs in parallel with the recontamination of the surface. Metal oxides can be removed completely for Au and partially for PtIr by an additional cleaning with hydrogen plasma. Hydrogen plasma treatment is very promising for noble metal surface cleaning.     

Computer simulation of the vacancy defects interaction with shuffle dislocation in silicon

The interactions between the 60^° shuffle dislocation and two different types of vacancy defects in silicon are separately studied via the molecular dynamics simulation method. The Stillinger–Weber potential is used to describe the atomic interactions. The results show that the dislocation slip velocity will decrease due to the interaction with the vacancy cluster (V ₆). The simulation also reveals that the divacancy will be absorbed by the dislocation. Meanwhile, a climbing of the dislocation occurs during their interactions. However, the divacancy has little effect on the dislocation slip velocity. Based on the above results, the decrease in threading dislocation density in SiGe/Si heterostructures with the use of low-temperature Si buffer layer may be explained.     

Self-diffusion of BCC transition metals calculated with MAEAM

The energy during the process of self-diffusion in BCC transition metals Fe, W, Mo, Cr, Ta, Nb and V has been calculated by using modified analytic embedded-atom method (MAEAM). For each kind of three diffusion mechanisms nearest-neighbor (NN), next-nearest-neighbor (NNN) and third-nearest-neighbor (TNN), the energy curve is symmetric and the maximum value of the energy appears at the middle point of the diffusion path. Determined mono-vacancy formation energy , migration energy and activation energy Q_1v for self-diffusion agree well with available experimental data of NN diffusion and are better than those obtained by the analytic embedded-atom method (AEAM) and Finnis–Sinclair models. Compared the energies corresponding to three diffusion mechanisms, the NN diffusion needs the lowest activation energy (and thus the lowest migration energy). So that, the NN mono-vacancy diffusion is favorable in BCC transition metals.     

The role of point defects in melting of solid He

We have recently observed that the resistance to shear of solid ⁴He decreases dramatically near the first-order BCC–HCP transition. In our view, the solid shears via a diffusive counter-flow of atoms and point defects. The mechanism of self diffusion couples point defects with one specific phonon which softens as the transition is approached. Since such a scenario can possibly lead to melting, it is important to understand (a) which type of point defect is associated with the reduction of shear resistance, and (b) can the presence of point defects lead to the softening of phonons. We report here the results of numerical simulations and analytic modeling. Our results indicate that split interstitials are much more effective than vacancies in lowering the resistance to shear. We suggest that these excitations can be generated as a result of a “local mode” excited in the crystal.     

Atomistic simulation of the vacancy in Ni (1 1 0) surface

Both the formation energies and the intra- and inter-layer diffuse activation energies of a vacancy in the first six atomic planes of Ni (1 1 0) surface have been investigated by means of molecular dynamics (MD) in conjunction with the semi-experiential many-body potential of the modified analytical embedded-atom method (MAEAM). The results show that the effect of the surface is only down to the fifth-layer. It is easer for a vacancy in the first or second layer to form and to migrate in intra-layer. For the inter-layer migration, a vacancy in the second or third layer is favorable to migrate to the upper layer, this is not the case for a vacancy in the fourth or fifth layer.     

Atomistic simulation of the self-diffusion in Fe (1 1 1) surface

The formation energies, the intra- and inter-layer self-diffusion activation energies of a single vacancy in Fe (1 1 1) surface have been investigated with the modified analytical embedded-atom method (MAEAM). The results show that the effect of the surface is down to the sixth layer for the formation and intra-layer migration of the vacancy. It is easier for a vacancy to form and to migrate in intra-layer in the first (especially), the second and the third layer. For inter-layer migration, a single vacancy in each of the first six layers is favorable to migrate to the upper layers. On the contrary, a single vacancy in the seventh, the eighth and the ninth layers is favorable to migrate to the lower layers.     

Atomistic and electronic structure calculation of defects at the surfaces of oxides

We present the results of simulations using both atomistic and density functional theory (DFT) approaches that illustrate the uses of these techniques for investigating the structure and electronic structure of defects at the surfaces of oxides. Atomistic simulation studies of the low index surfaces of spinel (MgAl 2 O 4 ) will show the role of vacancy configuration and surface rearrangement. Atomistic and DFT studies on Li doped MgO illustrate the importance of both the defect structure and its effect of morphology. We will also illustrate using DFT electronic defects at the surface of CeO 2 , which are of great importance in redox reactions and catalytic activity. Finally we will present a novel atomistic approach for predicting the structure of supported oxide nanoclusters giving rise to a wide range of defects including a range of surface terminations, grain formation, mixed screw edge dislocations and misfit dislocations. We will illustrate this using the structure of a BaO supported MgO nanocluster.     

The calculation of the surface energy of high-index surfaces in metals at zero temperature

We used the molecular dynamics simulation with interatomic potentials of the embedded atom method to calculate the high-index surface energies of the surfaces containing the 〈0 0 1〉 axis or 〈−1 1 0〉 axis in f.c.c. metal Al, Cu and Ni at zero temperature. We generalized an empirical formula based on structural unit model for high-index surfaces and present some new formulas that can be used to estimate the surface energy and structural feature of high-index surfaces very well. The results show that the closest surfaces have the lowest surface energy and the surface energies of the closest (1 1 1) surface and the next closest (1 1 0), (1 0 0) surfaces are the extremum on the curve of surface energy versus orientation angle. We also calculated the b.c.c. metal Fe and obtained a similar result. The difference is that in the b.c.c. metal the surface energies of the closest (1 1 0) surface and the next closest (1 0 0), (1 1 2) surfaces are the extremum on the curve of surface energy versus orientation angle. The results of theoretical simulation and the empirical formula consist well with the experiment data.     

KDP晶体本征中性点缺陷的第一性研究

 用第一性原理研究了KH2PO4(KDP)晶体中性本征点缺陷的形成能并计算了常温下点缺陷的浓度。计算得到中性填隙氢原子的形成能为2.05 eV,进而得到298 K下的浓度约为1.21×10^-17 mol/L。由于填隙氢原子在带隙中形成缺陷能级,并使能隙降低了2.6 eV, 因此消除填隙氢原子有利于提高晶体在355 nm附近的激光损伤阈值。计算得到的氧间隙、氧空位、钾空位和氢空位的形成能分别为0.60、5.25、6.50 和6.58 eV,常温下它们在晶体中也以较高的浓度存在。钾空位使晶胞体积增大约3.2%,并可能提高晶体电导率,从而降低光损伤阈值。P取代K的反位结构缺陷形成能尽管较低(4.1 eV), 但由于晶体生长溶液中P是以PO4四面体的形式存在,故此点缺陷的存在几率很小。     

Atomistic simulation of the point defects in B2-type MoTa alloy

The formation and migration mechanisms of three different point defects (mono-vacancy, anti-site defect and interstitial atom) in B₂-type MoTa alloy have been investigated by combining molecular dynamics (MD) simulation with modified analytic embedded-atom method (MAEAM). From minimization of the formation energy, we find that the anti-site defects Mo_Ta and Ta_Mo are easier to form than Mo and Ta mono-vacancies, while Mo and Ta interstitial atoms are difficult to form in the alloy. In six migration mechanisms of Mo and Ta mono-vacancies, one nearest-neighbor jump (1NNJ) is the most favorable due to its lowest activation and migration energies, but it will cause a disorder in the alloy. One next-nearest-neighbor jump (1NNNJ) and one third-nearest-neighbor jump (1TNNJ) can maintain the ordered property of the alloy but require higher activation and migration energies, so the 1NNNJ and 1TNNJ should be replaced by straight [1 0 0] six nearest-neighbor cyclic jumps (S[1 0 0]6NNCJ) or bent [1 0 0] six nearest-neighbor cyclic jumps (B[1 0 0]6NNCJ) and [1 1 0] six nearest-neighbor cyclic jumps ([1 1 0]6NNCJ), respectively. Although the migrations of Mo and Ta interstitial atoms need much lower energy than Mo and Ta mono-vacancies, they are not main migration mechanisms due to difficult to form in the alloy.