Inelastic neutron scattering and lattice dynamics studies in complex solids

At Trombay, lattice dynamics studies employing coherent inelastic neutron scattering (INS) experiments have been carried out at the two research reactors, CIRUS and Dhruva. While the early work at CIRUS involved many elemental solids and ionic molecular solids, recent experiments at Dhruva have focussed on certain superconductors (cuprates and intermetallics), geophysically important minerals (Al₂SiO₅, ZrSiO₄, MnCO₃) and layered halides (BaFCl, ZnCl₂). In most of the studies, theoretical modelling of lattice dynamics has played a significant role in the interpretation and analysis of the results from experiments. This talk summarises the developments and current activities in the field of inelastic neutron scattering and lattice dynamics at Trombay.     

Inelastic neutron scattering from and lattice dynamics of α-KNO3

Coherent inelastic neutron scattering techniques are employed to measure several branches of the phoon dispersion relation in KNO₃ in its orthorhombic (α-phase or phase II) form at room temperature. Group theoretical selection rules for external modes of the crystal have been used in the measurements along the three symmetry directions Σ(ξ00), Δ(0ξ0) and Λ(00ξ). Theoretical investigation of the lattice dynamics of the crystal is carried out on the basis of a rigid molecular-ion model using the external mode formalism. A two-body potential consisting of the Coulombic interaction and the Born-Mayer type short range interaction is assumed. The effective charges and radii of different atoms are determined by applying the stability criterion for the crystal. Dispersion curves are calculated, representation by representation, making use of group theoretical information. Comparison of theoretical results with experimental information on elastic constants, optical data and neutron results are made. Agreement between theoretical and the various experimental results may be considered very satisfactory.     

Inelastic neutron scattering study of lattice dynamics in α-ZnCl<Subscript>2</Subscript>

Inelastic neutron scattering experiments have been carried out to measure the phonon density of states in polycrystalline α-ZnCl₂ at Dhruva, Trombay. Lattice dynamical calculations, based on an interatomic potential model, are accomplished to study phonons associated with this otherwise extremely hygroscopic compound. Our calculated data are found to be well-compatible with the available measured ones.     

Inelastic neutron scattering and lattice dynamics of ZrO2, Y2O3 and ThSiO4

Zirconia (ZrO₂), yttria (Y₂O₃) and thorite (ThSiO₄) are ceramic materials used for a wide range of industrial applications. The dynamical properties of these materials are of interest as they exhibit numerous interesting phase transitions at high temperature and pressure. Using a combination of inelastic neutron scattering and theoretical lattice dynamics we have studied the phonon spectra and thermodynamic properties of these compounds. The experimental data validate the theoretical model, while the model enables microscopic interpretations of the observed data. The calculated thermodynamic properties are in good agreement with the experimental data.      

Density functional study of Bi2Te3 and Bi4Te6 molecules

Results of a density functional study for the molecules Bi₂Te₃ and Bi₄Te₆ are reported here. For Bi₂Te₃, calculations yield eight stable conformations. For Bi₄Te₆, eight stable isomers are identified. Equilibrium geometries, adiabatic ionisation potentials, atomisation energies, and vibrational bands are estimated. The lowest energy conformations in both cases are clusters of C_s symmetry with all Te atoms two-fold coordinated and all Bi atoms three-fold coordinated. The predicted low energy conformation for Bi₄Te₆ has alternating rows of Bi and Te atoms. This molecule seems a reasonable precursor to solid bismuth telluride, which has alternating Bi and Te layers.     

Lattice dynamics of strontium tungstate

We report here measurements of the phonon density of states and the lattice dynamics calculations of strontium tungstate (SrWO₄). At ambient conditions this compound crystallizes to a body-centred tetragonal unit cell (space group I4₁/a) called scheelite structure. We have developed transferable interatomic potentials to study the lattice dynamics of this class of compounds. The model parameters have been fitted with respect to the experimentally available Raman and infra-red frequencies and the equilibrium unit cell parameters. Inelastic neutron scattering measurements have been carried out in the triple-axis spectrometer at Dhruva reactor. The measured phonon density of states is in good agreement with the theoretical calculations, thus validating the interatomic potential developed.      

Spin lattice coupling in multiferroic hexagonal YMnO3

Aiming to shed light on the possible existence of hybrid phonon-magnon excitations in multiferroic manganites, neutron scattering measurements have been undertaken at LLB and ILL on the particular case of hexagonal YMnO₃. Our experiments focused on a transverse acoustic phonon mode polarized along the ferroelectric axis. The neutron data show that below the magnetic transition, this particular phonon mode splits in two different branches. The upper branch is found to coincide with a spin wave mode. This manifestation of a strong spin-lattice coupling is discussed in terms of a possible hybridization between the two types of elementary excitations, the phonon and magnons.      

NEUTRON SCATTERING AND LATTICE DYNAMICAL STUDIES OF THE HIGH-PRESSURE PHASE ICE (II)

Lattice dynamical calculations have been carried out for ice II based on the force field constructed for ice Ih. In order to fully understand ice II inelastic neutron scattering spectra, the decomposed phonon density of states was shown mode by mode. Calculated results have shown that the hydrogen bond force constant between the six-molecule rings is significantly weaker, 75eV/nm², compared with the force constant, 220eV/nm², within the rings. Inelastic neutron scattering spectra of clathrate hydrate H₂O+He are almost the same as ice II. This means that the absorption of He atoms cannot affect the bond strengths of the ice II host lattice. Based on the force field model for ice II, the van der Waals interactions between water molecules and helium atoms are considered. The results obtained are consistent with experimental data. Lattice dynamical calculations have been carried out for ice II using seven rigid pairwise potentials. It was found that MCY makes the stretching and bending interactions in ice II too weak and makes the O-O bond length too long (～5%), thus its lattice densities are obviously lower than other potential lattices or experimental values.     

Inelastic neutron scattering and lattice dynamics of minerals

We review current research on minerals using inelastic neutron scattering and lattice dynamics calculations. Inelastic neutron scattering studies in combination with first principles and atomistic calculations provide a detailed understanding of the phonon dispersion relations, density of states and their manifestations in various thermodynamic properties. The role of theoretical lattice dynamics calculations in the planning, interpretation and analysis of neutron experiments are discussed. These studies provide important insights in understanding various anomalous behaviour including pressure-induced amorphization, phonon and elastic instabilities, prediction of novel high pressure phase transitions, high pressure-temperature melting, etc.      

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.     

Extraction of hadron interactions above inelastic threshold in lattice QCD

We propose a new method to extract hadron interactions above inelastic threshold from the Nambu-Bethe-Salpeter amplitude in lattice QCD. We consider the scattering such as A + B → C + D, where A, B, C, D are names of different 1-particle states. An extension to cases where particle productions occur during scatterings is also discussed.     

黑索金的非弹性中子散射及第一性原理计算

黑索金(环三亚甲基三硝胺, RDX, C₃H₆O₆N₆)是一种非常重要的次级炸药, 因其高能量密度及对外界刺激的低感度而具有广泛的军事和工业应用. 为了能在生产、运输、存储以及使用中对其行为进行有效控制, 人们对它的化学性质、力学性质, 尤其是起爆进行了大量的研究. 炸药的起爆是一个非常复杂的过程, 其中最主要的问题之一就是能量是如何从连续介质尺度的刺激转移到原子尺度引起吸热分解的. 根据冲击波致爆的非平衡态Zel'dovich-von Neumann-Doering模型, 声子作为最初的热载体在整个过程中起着非常重要的作用. 实验上, 非弹性中子散射技术是研究晶体中原子和分子运动动力学的有力手段, 尤其是对于包含了大部分声子晶格模式的低频区域来说极具优势. 利用非弹性中子散射技术测得了RDX 在10–104 cm^-1 范围内的振动谱, 结合固态量子化学计算, 对所测的12个振动模式进行指认. 研究结果有助于人们对起爆详细机理的认识.     

Thermoelectric performance of monolayer Bi2Te2Se of ultra low lattice thermal conductivity

The electronic structure and thermoelectric properties of monolayer Bi₂Te₂Se were studied by density functional theory and semi-classical Boltzmann transport equation. The band gap with TB-mBJ can be improved for monolayer Bi₂Te₂Se. Monolayer Bi₂Te₂Se have ultra-low thermal conductivity comparing with other well-known two-dimensional materials. The monolayer Bi₂Te₂Se can improve electrical conductivities. ZT increases with increasing temperature for monolayer Bi₂Te₂Se. Comparing to GGA, TB-mBJ has larger ZT value in p-type doping. Monolayer Bi₂Te₂Se have larger ZT comparing with other well-known two-dimensional materials. Our calculated results show that our calculation greatly underestimates ZT value, therefore, monolayer Bi₂Te₂Se should have a higher ZT value.     

Thermoelectric properties of Bi2Se3/Bi2Te3/Bi2Se3 and Sb2Te3/Bi2Te3/Sb2Te3 quantum well systems

In this work, we develop a theory of thermoelectric transport properties in two-dimensional semiconducting quantum well structures. Calculations are performed for n-type 0.1 wt.% CuBr-doped Bi₂Se₃/Bi₂Te₃/Bi₂Se₃ and p-type 3 wt.% Te-doped Sb₂Te₃/Bi₂Te₃/Sb₂Te₃ quantum well systems in the temperature range 50–600 K. It is found that reducing the well thickness has a pronounced effect on enhancing the thermoelectric figure of merit (ZT). For the n-type Bi₂Se₃/Bi₂Te₃/Bi₂Se₃ with 7 nm well width, the maximum value of ZT is estimated to be 0.97 at 350 K and for the p-type Sb₂Te₃/Bi₂Te₃/Sb₂Te₃ with well width 10 nm the highest value of the ZT is found to be 1.945 at 440 K. An explanation is provided for the resulting higher ZT value of the p-type system compared to the n-type system.     

非弹性中子散射在稀土钙钛矿研究中的应用

中子散射技术在科学研究中应用的重要性、独特性源自于中子本身的一些基本物理特点：带自旋、不带电荷、与原子核直接发生强相互作用、恰当的质量使其色散关系与一般物质内部的原子振动和磁性振动的元激发相当,以及可用于无损探测的强穿透性等。这些特点决定了中子散射探测技术在科学研究中无可替代的重要地位。经过多年发展,中子散射技术已经成为研究凝聚态物理中材料晶体结构以及磁结构的主要手段。此外由于中子的能量与物质中的元激发,如声子,磁振子等能量相当,中子散射也是研究物质动力学性质不可替代的关键技术。对于磁性材料来说,非弹性中子散射不仅可以研究对称性破缺下磁有序相的自旋波激发,而且可以直接探测无对称性破缺情况下的自旋关联。这对于研究磁阻挫等量子磁体中新奇的量子化自旋激发尤其重要。文章将主要介绍两种常用的非弹性散射谱仪,并结合最近在稀土钙钛矿结构体系中的具体应用,尤其是低维稀土自旋链中的分数化自旋子的激发,重点介绍非弹性散射技术的特色。     

Influence of grain size distribution on the lattice thermal conductivity of Bi2Te3-Sb2Te3-based nanostructured materials

The change of the lattice thermal conductivity of bulk nanostructured materials based on Bi₂Te₃-Sb₂Te₃ solid solutions with grain size distribution has been studied. These materials have a polycrystalline structure with grain sizes ranging from a few tens of a nanometer to a few micrometers. Large grains may contain inclusions or consist of several smaller parts which can be identified with coherent scattering regions seen in X-ray diffraction. The change of the lattice thermal conductivity mediated by additional scattering by inclusions and grain boundaries has been calculated. This calculation allows for the effect of nanoparticle size distribution. The calculated estimates are compared with the available experimental data.     

Phonon dispersion in aluminium arsenide and antimonide

The phonon dispersion curves for aluminium arsenide and antimonide have been investigated by using a deformation bond approximation model. The results obtained from this model are compared with the experimental values wherever it is available. Since there is no complete experimental phonon dispersion curves for AlAs, we could not compare our calculated results, but the results of AlSb have been compared with the inelastic neutron scattering measurements at 15 K. However, we compare the phonon frequencies of AlAs and AlSb at critical points of the Brillouin zone obtained by our calculations and Raman spectroscopy measurements. This model predicts the phonon modes satisfactorily in all the symmetry directions of the Brillouin zone (BZ). The spectrum has similar features as observed in other III–V compound semiconductors.     

Vibrational analysis of L-serine using the density functional theory

In this paper, we present a computational study of L-serine using ab initio molecular dynamics simulation based on density functional theory (DFT) within the ultrasoft pseudopotentials and generalized-gradient approximation. Taking into account the intermolecular interactions, we can indeed simulate the features of the experimental results very well for L-serine zwitterions in its solid state. The vibrational spectrum of L-serine performed by DFT was in excellent agreement with our previous inelastic incoherent neutron scattering spectra measured at 20K for L-serine in the 10--200meV region on HET spectrometers at ISIS, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory.     

纳米晶体线的晶格动力学格林函数及晶格振动

通过求解差分方程,推导了纳米晶体线的晶格动力学格林函数,分析了其晶格振动,并推导了声子数表象中的原子位移及晶格振动哈密顿公式.研究结果表明,纳米晶体线的晶格振动能带分裂为一系列的子带,格波只能沿纳米晶体线的纵向传播,沿纳米晶体线的横截面只存在驻波.