Structure and dynamics of cationic van-der-Waals clusters

The geometric structure and bonding properties of medium-sized ArnH+ clusters (n = 2–35), in which a proton is wrapped up in a number of Ar atoms, are investigated by applying a diatomics-in-molecules (DIM) model with ab-initio input data generated by means of multi-reference configuration-interaction (MRCI) computations. For the smaller complexes, n = 2–7, cross-checking calculations employing the coupled-cluster approach (CCSD) with the same one-electron atomic basis set as for the input data calculations (aug-cc-pVTZ from Dunning), show good agreement thus justifying the extension of the DIM study to larger n. Local minima of the multi-dimensional potential-energy surfaces (PES) are determined by combining a Monte-Carlo sampling followed, for each generated point, by a steepest-descent optimization procedure. For the electronic ground state of the ArnH+ clusters, the global minimum (corresponding to the most stable structure of the cluster) as well as secondary minima are found and analyzed. The structural and energetic data obtained reveal the building-up regularities for the most stable structures and make it possible to formulate a simple increment scheme. The low-lying excited states are also calculated by the DIM approach; they all turn out to be globally repulsive.     

Universal transition to inactivity in global mixed coupling

The collective dynamics of a network of nonlinear oscillators can be represented in terms of activity level of the network. We have studied a universal transition from activity to inactivity in a globally coupled network of identical oscillators. We consider mixed coupling, where some of the network elements interact through the similar variables while others with dissimilar variables. The coupling strength at which the network become inactive is inversely proportional to the fraction of oscillators coupled through dissimilar variables. Results are presented for the network of various globally coupled limit-cycle oscillators such as Stuart-Landau oscillators, MacArthur prey-predator model as well as for the chaotic Rössller oscillators. The analytical condition for the onset of inactivity in the system is calculated using linear stability analysis which is found to be in good agreement with the numerical results.     

Accurate double many-body expansion potential energy surface of HS_2(A~2A') by scaling the external correlation

A globally accurate single-sheeted double many-body expansion potential energy surface is reported for the first excited state of HS_2 by fitting the accurate ab initio energies, which are calculated at the multireference configuration interaction level with the aug-cc-pVQZ basis set. By using the double many-body expansion-scaled external correlation method,such calculated ab initio energies are then slightly corrected by scaling their dynamical correlation. A grid of 2767 ab initio energies is used in the least-square fitting procedure with the total root-mean square deviation being 1.406 kcal · mol~(-1).The topographical features of the HS_2(A_2A') global potential energy surface are examined in detail. The attributes of the stationary points are presented and compared with the corresponding ab initio results as well as experimental and other theoretical data, showing good agreement. The resulting potential energy surface of HS_2(A_2A') can be used as a building block for constructing the global potential energy surfaces of larger S/H molecular systems and recommended for dynamic studies on the title molecular system.     

Special Temporal Functions on Globally Hyperbolic Manifolds

In this article, existence results concerning temporal functions with additional properties on a globally hyperbolic manifold are obtained. These properties are certain bounds on geometric quantities as lapse and shift. The results are linked to completeness properties and the existence of closed isometric embeddings in Minkowski spaces.     

Frequency noise of free-running 4.6 μm distributed feedback quantum cascade lasers near room temperature

The frequency noise properties of commercial distributed feedback quantum cascade lasers emitting in the 4.6 μm range and operated in cw mode near room temperature (277 K) are presented. The measured frequency noise power spectral density reveals a flicker noise dropping down to the very low level of <100 Hz(2)/Hz at 10 MHz Fourier frequency and is globally a factor of 100 lower than data recently reported for a similar laser operated at cryogenic temperature. This makes our laser a good candidate for the realization of a mid-IR ultranarrow linewidth reference.     

Toward unified satellite climatology of aerosol properties: What do fully compatible MODIS and MISR aerosol pixels tell us?

Because of the global nature of aerosol effects on climate, satellite observations have been and will be an indispensable source of information about aerosol characteristics for use in various assessments of climate and climate change. There have been parallel claims of unprecedented accuracy of aerosol retrievals with the moderate-resolution imaging spectroradiometer (MODIS) and multiangle imaging spectroradiometer (MISR). These claims have been based on limited comparisons with ground-based observations which, however, are not necessarily indicative of the actual global performance of these satellite sensors. Fortunately, both instruments have been flown for many years on the same Terra platform, which provides a unique opportunity to compare fully collocated pixel-level MODIS and MISR aerosol retrievals directly and globally. Our present extensive analysis of ～8 years of the MODIS-Terra and MISR aerosol data documents unexpected significant disagreements at the pixel level as well as between long-term and spatially averaged aerosol properties. The only point on which both datasets seem to fully agree is that there may have been a weak increasing tendency in the globally averaged aerosol optical thickness (AOT) over the land and no long-term AOT tendency over the oceans. Overall our new results suggest that the current knowledge of the global distribution of the AOT and, especially, aerosol microphysical characteristics remains unsatisfactory.     

Stability and mechanical properties of various Hf-H phases: A density-functional theory study

We performe first-principles density functional theory calculations to investigate the stability and mechanical properties of various Hf Hx(0 ≤ x ≤ 1) phases. For pure Hf phases, the calculated results show that the HCP and FCC phases are mechanically stable, while the BCC phase is unstable at 0 K. Also, as for various Hf Hx phases, we find that H location and concentration could have a significant effect on their stability and mechanical properties. When 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.25, the HCP phases with H at(tetrahedral) T sites are energetically most stable among various phases. The FCC and BCC phases with H at T sites turn to be relatively more favorable than the HCP phase when H concentration is higher than 0.25. Furthermore, our calculated results indicate that the H solution in Hf can largely affect their mechanical properties such as the bulk moduli(B) and shear moduli(G).     

Globally coupled maps with sequential updating

A system of globally coupled logistic maps with sequential updating is analyzed numerically. It is found that deterministic asynchronous updating schemes may have dramatic influences on the dynamical behaviors of globally coupled systems. Transitions from spatio–temporal chaos to spatially organized states are observed as the coupling parameter varies. It is shown that the model system may exhibit a variety of collective properties such as the clustering, traveling wave patterns, and spatial bifurcation cascades.     

Structural,electronic, optical,elastic and thermal properties of ZnXAs<Subscript>2</Subscript> (X = Si and Ge) chalcopyrite semiconductors

We report first principles calculations of solid state properties of ZnSiAs₂ and ZnGeAs₂ chalcopyrite semiconductors. The structural properties are calculated using a Full Potential Linearized Augmented Plane Wave method (FP-LAPW) of the Density Functional Theory (DFT). A Generalized Gradient Approximation (GGA) scheme proposed by Wu and Cohen (WC) has been chosen to calculate electronic and optical properties. Optical features such as dielectric functions, refractive indices, extinction coefficient, optical reflectivity, absorption coefficients and optical conductivities were calculated for photon energies up to 30 eV. The elastic constants at equilibrium in tetragonal structure are also determined. Temperature effect on the volume, thermal expansion, heat capacity, Debye temperature, entropy, Grüneisen parameter and bulk modulus were calculated employing the quasi-harmonic Debye model at different temperatures and pressures and the silent results were interpreted. Finally using semi-empirical relation, we determined the hardness of the materials which attributed to different covalent bonding strengths.     

Density functional theory study of structural,electronic,and thermal properties of Pt,Pd, Rh,Ir, Os and PtPdX(X= Ir,Os, and Rh) alloys

The structural, electronic, mechanical, and thermal properties of Pt, Pd, Rh, Ir, Os metals and their alloys Pt Pd X(X= Ir, Os and Rh) are studied systematically using ab initio density functional theory. The groundstate properties such as lattice constant and bulk modulus are calculated to find the equilibrium atomic position for stable alloys. The electronic band structure and density of states are calculated to study the electronic behavior of metals on making their alloys. The electronic properties substantiate the metallic behavior for all studied materials. The firstprinciples density functional perturbation theory as implemented in quasi-harmonic approximation is used for the calculations of thermal properties.We have calculated the thermal properties such as the Debye temperature, vibrational energy, entropy and constant-volume specific heat. The calculated properties are compared with the previously reported experimental and theoretical data for metals and are found to be in good agreement. Calculated results for alloys could not be compared because there is no data available in the literature with such alloy composition.     

First-principles study of electronic structure and optical properties of Sr(Ti,Zr)O3

Electronic and optical properties of Sr(Ti,Zr)O₃ crystals in the cubic (Pm-3m) and tetragonal (I4/mcm) phase were calculated by the first-principles calculations using the density functional theory and the local density approximation. The band structure of cubic and tetragonal phases show an indirect band gap at (R-Γ) point and at (M-Γ) point in the Brillouin zone, respectively. The linear photon-energy dependent dielectric functions and some optical properties such as the absorption coefficient, energy-loss function and reflectivity are calculated for both phases. The optical properties of tetragonal phase of Sr(Ti,Zr)O₃ were investigated by theoretical methods for the first time. We have also made some comparisons with the available related experimental and theoretical data.     

Elastic and thermodynamic properties of alkali hydrides XH (X = K,Rb and Cs)

The calculation of the structural, mechanical and thermodynamic properties of the alkali hydrides XH (X?=?K, Rb and Cs) in rock-salt (RS), cesium chloride (CsCl), zinc-blende (ZB) and wurtzite (WZ) phases are done by using the full-potential linearized augmented plane wave (FP-LAPW) method within the frame work of the density functional theory (DFT) as implemented in the WIEN2K code. The Perdew–Burke–Ernzerhof generalized gradient approximation (PBE-GGA) was used for the exchange-correlation potential.The elastic constants and their related properties, as well as the thermodynamic properties, were obtained by using the IRelast package. The calculated elastic constants for the alkali hydrides, with the four structures RS, CsCl, ZB and WZ, at ambient pressure are mechanically stable. The elastic constants and their related properties in the RS structure are changeable with increasing pressure. Elastic constants, bulk modulus, shear modulus (stiffness) and Debye temperatures of these compounds are decreased as going from K to Cs in the periodic table. These compounds in the RS structure are mechanically stronger at ambient conditions.     

Atomistic properties of γ uranium

The properties of the body-centered cubic γ phase of uranium (U) are calculated using atomistic simulations. First, a modified embedded-atom method interatomic potential is developed for the high temperature body-centered cubic (γ) phase of U. This phase is stable only at high temperatures and is thus relatively inaccessible to first principles calculations and room temperature experiments. Using this potential, equilibrium volume and elastic constants are calculated at 0 K and found to be in close agreement with previous first principles calculations. Further, the melting point, heat capacity, enthalpy of fusion, thermal expansion and volume change upon melting are calculated and found to be in reasonable agreement with experiment. The low temperature mechanical instability of γ U is correctly predicted and investigated as a function of pressure. The mechanical instability is suppressed at pressures greater than 17.2 GPa. The vacancy formation energy is analyzed as a function of pressure and shows a linear trend, allowing for the calculation of the extrapolated zero pressure vacancy formation energy. Finally, the self-defect formation energy is analyzed as a function of temperature. This is the first atomistic calculation of γ U properties above 0 K with interatomic potentials.     

L12型铝合金的结构、弹性和电子性质的第一性原理研究

运用第一性原理方法研究了L12型铝合金相Al3Sc和Al3Zr的晶体结构、电子结构和弹性.结合能和形成能的计算表明,两种合金具有较强的合金化能力,且Al3Zr较Al3Sc具有更强的结构稳定性.电子结构分析表明,费米能级以下较多的价电子数决定了Al3Zr具有较强的结构稳定性.计算并分析比较了两种合金相的单晶弹性常数(C11,C12和C44)以及多晶弹性模量(体弹性模量B、剪切模量G、杨氏模量Y、泊松比ν和各向异性因子A).通过对比实验和其他理论计算结果,进一步分析和解释了两种合金相的力学性质.     

The Electronic and Magnetic Structure of Iron–Interstitial Metalloid Alloys

We have studied the Fe-X (X=B, C and N) systems, represented by clusters of atoms, using the discrete variational method. The calculated properties at the cluster's central site are compared with experimental and other theoretical results. The local magnetic, contact magnetic hyperfine field and contact charge density at the central site were calculated for different locations of impurities in bct, fcc and for intermediate structures. The calculated properties for N impurities are somehow different from those obtained for B and C impurities. The reasons behind the large average magnetic moment at Fe site in Fe-N systems were not convincingly clarified, however, distinctive features related to these systems are pointed out. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Structural, electronic and optical properties of SrCl2 under hydrostatic stress

The results of first-principles theoretical study of the structural, electronic and optical properties of SrCl₂ in its cubic structure, have been performed using the full-potential linear augmented plane-wave method plus local orbitals (FP-APW+lo) as implemented in the WIEN2k code. In this approach both the local density approximation (LDA) and the generalized gradient approximation (GGA) are used for the exchange-correlation (XC) potential. Also we have used the Engel-Vosko GGA formalism, which optimizes the corresponding potential for band structure calculations. We performed these calculations with and without spin-orbit interactions. Including spin-orbit coupling cause to lifts the triple degeneracy at Γ point and a double degeneracy at X point. Results are given for structural properties. The pressure dependence of elastic constants and band gaps are investigated. The dielectric function, reflectivity spectra and refractive index are calculated up to 30 eV. Also we calculated the pressure and volume dependence of the static optical dielectric constant.     

Globally accurate ab initio based potential energy surface of H_2O~+(X~4A')

A globally accurate potential energy surface is reported for the electronic ground-state H2O+.The ab initio energies utilized to map the potential energy surface are calculated at the multireference configuration interaction method employing the aug-cc-p VQZ basis set and the full valence complete active space wave function as reference.In order to improve accuracy of the resulting raw ab initio energies,they are then extrapolated to the complete basis set limit and most importantly to the full configuration-interaction limit by semiempirically correcting the dynamical correlation using the double manybody expansion-scaled external correlation method.The topographical features of the current potential energy surface were examined in detail,which agree nicely with those of other theoretical work.     

Electronic structure and structural phase stability of CuAlX2 (X=S, Se, Te) under pressure

The electronic and structural properties of chalcopyrite compounds CuAlX₂ (X=S, Se, Te) have been studied using the first principle self-consistent Tight Binding Linear Muffin-Tin Orbital (TBLMTO) method within the local density approximation. The present study deals with the ground state properties, structural phase transition, equations of state and pressure dependence of band gap of CuAlX₂ (S, Se, Te) compounds.Electronic structure and hence total energies of these compounds have been computed as a function of reduced volume. The calculated lattice parameters are in good agreement with the available experimental results. At high pressures, structural phase transition from bct structure (chalcopyrite) to cubic structure (rock salt) is observed. The pressure induced structural phase transitions for CuAlS₂, CuAlSe₂, and CuAlTe₂ are observed at 18.01, 14.4 and 8.29 GPa, respectively. Band structures at normal as well as for high-pressure phases have been calculated. The energy band gaps for the above compounds have been calculated as a function of pressure, which indicates the metallic character of these compounds at high-pressure fcc phase. There is a large downshift in band gaps due to hybridatization of the noble-metal d levels with p levels of the other atoms.     

Thermodynamics of wurtzite GaN from first-principle calculation

The density function perturbation theory (DFPT) is employed to study the linear thermal expansion and heat capacity at constant pressure (with the quasiharmonic approximation) for wurtzite GaN. The calculated results of linear thermal expansion coefficient and heat capacity at constant pressure are compared with the available experimental data in a wide temperature range. Generally these properties calculated agree well with experimental data except at high temperature, thus it suggests the thermal expansion and heat capacity can be well calculated from this first-principle approach.