Gaussian basis set of double zeta quality for atoms Rb through Xe: application in non-relativistic and relativistic calculations of atomic and molecular properties

The all-electron contracted Gaussian basis set of double zeta valence quality plus polarization functions (DZP) for the atoms from Rb to Xe is presented. The Douglas–Kroll–Hess (DKH) basis set for fourth-row elements is also reported. The original DZP basis set has been recontracted, i.e. the values of the contraction coefficients were re-optimized using the relativistic DKH Hamiltonian. This extends earlier works on segmented contracted DZ basis set for atoms H-Kr. These sets along with ab initio methods were used to calculate ionization energies of some atoms and spectroscopic constants of a sample of molecules and, then, comparison with results obtained with other basis sets was made. It was shown that experimental and benchmark bond lengths and harmonic vibrational frequencies can be reproduced satisfactorily with DZP-DKZ.     

DFT study on the electronic structure and chemical state of Americium in an (Am,U) mixed oxide

We investigated the electronic state of an (Am,U) mixed oxide with the fluorite structure using the all-electron full potential linear augmented plane wave method and compared it with those of Am₂O₃, AmO₂, UO₂, and La_0.5U_0.5O₂. The valence of Am in the mixed oxide was close to that of Am₂O₃ and the valence of U in the mixed oxide was pentavalent. The electronic structure of AmO₂ was different from that of Am₂O₃, particularly just above the Fermi level. In addition, the electronic states of Am and U in the mixed oxide were similar to those of trivalent Am and pentavalent U oxides. These electronic states reflected the high oxygen potential of AmO₂ and the heightened oxygen potential resulting from the addition of Am to UO₂ and also suggested the occurrence of charge transfer from Am to U in the solid solution process.     

Full-relativistic calculation of electronic structure of Zr2AlC and Zr2AlN

We have employed a full-relativistic version of an all-electron full-potential linearized-augmented plane-wave method in the local density approximation to investigate the electronic structure of nanolaminate Zr₂AlX (X=C and N). The Zr 4d electrons are treated as valence electrons. We have investigated the lattice parameters, bulk moduli, band structures, total and partial densities of states and charge densities. It is demonstrated that the strength and electrical transport properties in these materials are principally governed by the metallic planes.     

Non-empirical pseudo-potentials for molecular calculations

Our non-empirical pseudo-potential method is tested on the molecules ScH₃, TiH₃F, MnO₄ ^-, Zn(CH₃)₂ and Pd(CO)₄. The calculations are performed with the PSIBMOL algorithm, described in paper I (Molec. Phys., 1977, 33, 159) at the independent particle restricted Hartree-Fock level with minimal and double-zeta basis sets of Slater orbitals expanded in gaussian functions. The agreement between pseudo-potential and all-electron calculations for these molecules is as good as for non-transition element compounds as concerns valence molecular orbital energies and expectation values of various one-electron operators. The general conclusion of this series (papers I, II and III) is that our non-empirical pseudo-potential method can now be used as a routine tool to predict efficiently the ground-state valence electronic properties of molecules containing any atom of the Periodic Table as far as relativistic effects remain unimportant.     

All-electron GW approximation with the mixed basis expansion based on the full-potential LMTO method

We present a new all-electron, augmented-wave implementation of the GW approximation using eigenfunctions generated by a recent variant of the full-potential LMTO method. The dynamically screened Coulomb interaction W is expanded in a mixed basis set which consists of two contributions, local atom-centered functions confined to muffin-tin spheres, and plane waves with the overlap to the local functions projected out. The former can include any of the core states; thus the core and valence states can be treated on an equal footing. Systematic studies of semiconductors and insulators show that the GW fundamental bandgaps consistently fall low in comparison to experiment. Also the quasi-particle (QP) levels differ significantly from other, approximate methods, in particular those that approximate the core with a pseudopotential, or those that include valence states only.     

Structural,electronic and optical properties of LiBeP in its normal and high pressure phases

An investigation on the structural stabilities, electronic and optical properties of LiBeP under high pressure was conducted using the all-electron density functional theory within the local density approximation. Our results show that the sequence of the pressure induced phase transition of LiBeP is the Cu₂Sb-type structure (P4/nmm), the MgSrSi-type structure (Pnma) and the LiGaGe-type structure (P6₃mc). The first transition (P4/nmm to Pnma) takes place at 2.95 GPa and the second (Pnma to P6₃mc) at 6.65 GPa. In the three phases, the bandgap is indirect and the valence band maximum is at the zone center. With increasing pressure LiBeP in the LiGaGe structure becomes a direct gap semiconductor at 19.75 GPa. The assignments of the structures in the optical spectra and the band structure transitions are discussed. The mean value of the optical dielectric constant for the Cu₂Sb phase is smaller than that for the MgSrSi and the LiGaGe ones. This compound has a positive uniaxial anisotropy in the LiGaGe structure. The absorption coefficient along the z   direction, _αzz${\alpha }_{\mathit{zz}}$, for the MgSrSi structure is higher than that in the other two structures in the visible regime.     

First-principles local density approximation （LDA）＋U and generalized gradient approximation （GGA） ＋ U studies of plutonium oxides

The electronic structures and properties of PuO2 and Pu2O3 have been studied according to the first principles by using the all-electron projector-augmented-wave （PAW） method. The local density approximation （LDA）＋U and the generalized gradient approximation （GGA）＋U formalisms have been used to account for the strong on-site Coulomb repulsion among the localized Pu 5f electrons. We discuss how the properties of PuO2 and Pu2O3 are affected by choosing the values of U and exchange-correlation potential. Also, the oxidation reaction of Pu2O3, leading to the formation of PuO2, and its dependence on U and exchange-correlation potential have been studied. Our results show that by choosing an appropriate U it is possible to consistently describe structural, electronic, and thermodynamic properties of PuO2 and Pu2O3, which enable the modelling of the redox process involving Pu-based materials.     

MRCISD calculations of the six lowest valence states of I2 −

Potential curves for the four Hund's case (a) basis electronic states (²Σ, ²Π_g, ²Π_u, and ²Σ⁺) correlating with the I(²P_u) + I^?(¹S_g) dissociation limit have been calculated at the MRCISD level of theory using an all-electron double-zeta basis set augmented with an extensive set of polarization and diffuse functions complete through i angular momentum functions. Transition moments for the dipole allowed transitions between these states are determined as a function of internuclear separation. The four Hund's case (a) curves are used to determine the six Hund's case (c) potential curves which arise when spin-orbit coupling is considered. The rovibrational eigenvalues for each of these six states are determined numerically, and standard spectroscopic constants are determined by fitting the energy of these levels to a Duham series. The results are compared with available experimental and theoretical information.     

Gaussian basis set of triple zeta valence quality for the atoms from K to Kr: Application in DFT and CCSD(T) calculations of molecular properties

A contracted basis set of triple zeta (TZ) valence quality for the atoms from K to Kr was constructed from fully-optimized Gaussian basis sets generated in this work. Gaussian polarization functions (d, f, and g symmetries), which were optimized at the second-order Mφller–Plesset level, were added to the TZ set. This extends earlier work on segmented contracted TZ basis set for atoms H-Ar. This set along with the BP86 non-hybrid and B3LYP hybrid functionals were used to calculate geometric parameters, dissociation energy, harmonic vibrational frequency, and electric dipole moment of a sample of molecules and, then, comparison with results obtained with other basis sets and with experimental data reported in the literature is done. CCSD(T) atomic excitation energies and bond lengths, dissociation energies, and harmonic vibrational frequencies of some diatomics were also evaluated. Using density functional theory and gauge-including atomic orbitals, ⁵⁷Fe and ⁷⁷Se nuclear magnetic resonance chemical shifts in Fe(C₅H₅)₂, H₂Se, (CH₃)SeH, CSe₂, SeCO, H₂CSe, and SeF₆ were calculated. Comparison with theoretical and experimental values previously published in the literature was done. It is verified that in general these results give good agreement with experimental and benchmark values.     

Ionization energy of KOH and the dissociation energies of KOH and KOH+

High level ab initio, up to RCCSD(T), and B3LYP calculations were employed to calculate thermochemical properties for KOH and KOH⁺. Basis sets were of both all-electron and effective core potential (ECP) types: in both cases large, flexible valence basis sets were used, and the largest basis sets were of quintuple-zeta quality. Both KOH and KOH⁺ were found to be linear; in the latter case, the Renner-Teller effect is discussed. The results are close to convergence with regard to both basis sets and levels of theory. The most reliable quantities are: first AIE(KOH) = 7.38±0.02eV; D₀(K- -OH) = 82 ± 1 kcal mol-¹; D₀(K+ …OH) = 11.4 ± 1 kcalmol-¹; δH_f(KOH,298K) = ?53 ± 1 kcalmol^?1; and δH_f(KOH⁺,298K) = 119 ± 1 kcalmol-¹.     

Valence shell momentum distributions,binding energies,and calculated wavefunction evaluation for H2S by binary (e,2e) spectroscopy

We report preliminary results on the binding energy spectrum and molecular orbital momentum distributions of H₂S as measured by binary (e,2e) spectroscopy at 400 eV. Extensive final ion state structure associated with ionization from the inner valence molecular orbital of H₂S is observed. Three momentum distribution calculations for H₂S using basis sets of varying complexity show a better fit than in H₂O (J. Electron Spectrosc. $\text{11}$ (1977) 205) for a given quality of basis set.     

A density functional theory study on the H2S molecule adsorption onto small gold clusters

An all-electron scalar relativistic calculation on Au_nH₂S (n = 1-13) clusters has been performed by using density functional theory with the generalized gradient approximation at PW91 level. The small gold cluster would like to bond with sulfur in the same plane and the H₂S molecule prefers to occupy the on-top and single fold coordination site in the cluster. The Au_n structures and H₂S molecule in all Au_nH₂S clusters are only slightly perturbed and still maintain their structural integrity. After adsorption, the S-H, H-H bond-lengths and most Au-Au bond-lengths are elongated, only a few Au-Au bond-lengths far from H₂S molecule are shortened. The reactivity enhancement of H₂S molecule is obvious and the strong gold-sulfur bond is observed expectedly. The most favorable adsorption takes place in the case that the H₂S molecule is adsorbed by an even-numbered Au_n cluster and becomes Au_nH₂S cluster with even number of valence electrons. It is believed that the strong scalar relativistic effect is favorable to H₂S molecule adsorption onto small gold clusters and is also one of the important reasons for the strong gold-sulfur bond.     

Accurate ground-state potential energy surfaces of the C2H2–Kr and C2H2–Xe van der Waals complexes

Accurate ab initio intermolecular potential energy surfaces (IPES) have been obtained for the first time for the ground electronic state of the C₂H₂–Kr and C₂H₂–Xe van der Waals complexes. Extensive tests, including complete basis set and all-electron scalar relativistic results, support their calculation at the CCSD(T) level of theory, using small-core relativistic pseudopotentials for the rare-gas atoms and aug-cc-pVQZ basis sets extended with a set of 3s3p2d1f1g mid-bond functions. All results are corrected for the basis set superposition error. The importance of the scalar relativistic and rare-gas outer-core (n–1)d correlation effects is investigated. The calculated IPES, adjusted to analytical functions, are characterized by global minima corresponding to skew T-shaped geometries, in which the Jacobi vector positioning the rare-gas atom with respect to the center of mass of the C₂H₂ moiety corresponds to distances of 4.064 and 4.229?Å, and angles of 65.22° and 68.67° for C₂H₂–Kr and C₂H₂–Xe, respectively. The interaction energy of both complexes is estimated to be ?151.88 (1.817?kJ?mol^?1) and ?182.76?cm^?1 (2.186?kJ?mol^?1), respectively. The evolution of the topology of the IPES as a function of the rare-gas atom, from He to Xe, is also discussed.     

First-principles study on electronic structure of Sr2Bi2O5 crystal

The electronic structure of Sr₂Bi₂O₅ is calculated by the GGA approach. Both of the valence band maximum and the conduction band minimum are located at Γ-point. This means that Sr₂Bi₂O₅ is a direct band-gap material. The wide energy-band dispersions near the valence band maximum and the conduction band minimum predict that holes and electrons generated by band gap excitation have a high mobility. The conduction band is composed of Bi 6p, Sr 4d and O 2p energy states. On the other hand, the valence band can be divided into two energy regions ranging from −9.5 to −7.9 eV (lower valence band) and from −4.13 to 0 eV (upper valence band). The former mainly consists of Bi 6s states hybridizing with O 2s and O 2p states, and the latter is mainly constructed from O 2p states strongly interacting with Bi 6s and Bi 6p states.     

Valence changes of manganese and praseodymium in Pr1−xSrxMn1−yInyO3−δ perovskites upon cation substitution as determined with XANES and ELNES

Systematic valence changes in Pr_1−xSr_xMn_1−yIn_yO_3−δ upon cation substitution with Sr²⁺ and In³⁺ have been found using Mn K-edge and Pr L-edge X-ray absorption, and Mn L_II,III and Pr M_IV,V electron energy-loss spectroscopy. The average valence of the praseodymium ions is close to +3.0 and virtually constant over the sample set when the samples also contained manganese ions. Pr_0.5Sr_0.5InO_3−δ showed a distinct increase in the praseodymium valence state. In contrast, the average valence of the manganese ions changed from the trivalent state to intermediate values between +3.0 and +4.0 and approached the tetravalent state depending on the level of substitution. The knowledge of the valence is required to understand the conduction mechanisms in the material due to the small polaron hopping (electronic conductivity) and motion of oxygen ions along the vacancies (ionic conductivity). Addition of strontium and indium led to the formation of oxygen vacancies. A previously assumed intermediate valence of praseodymium as causal factor for the higher oxygen catalytic activity cannot be confirmed with room temperature measurements.     

The geometric structure and electronic properties of Fe3O3 clusters

On the basis of density-functional theory (PW91) and an all-electron numerical basis set, 60 optimized structures of Fe₃O₃⁺ clusters were obtained through optimization calculation and frequency analysis of 216 initial structures. 28 different isomers were ultimately confirmed after analyzing and re-calculating. The binding energies, the energy gaps between the highest occupied molecular orbital and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital, and the total magnetic moments of all stable isomers are reported. Some discussion of the relationship between electronic properties and structures is also presented.     

Investigations of spectroscopic parameters and molecular constants for X1Σg+, w3Δu, and W1Δu electronic states of P2 molecule

The potential energy curves (PECs) of three low-lying electronic states (X¹Σ_g⁺, w³Δ_u, and W¹Δ_u)of P₂ molecule are investigated using the full valence complete active space self-consistent field (CASSCF) method followed by the highly accurate valence internally contracted multireference configuration interaction (MRCI) approach in conjunction with the correlation-consistent basis set in the valence range. The PECs of the electronic states involved are modified by the Davidson correction and extrapolated to the complete basis set (CBS) limit. With these PECs, the spectroscopic parameters of the three electronic states are determined and compared in detail with the experimental data. The comparison shows that excellent agreement exists between the present results and the available experimental data. The complete vibrational states are computed for the w³Δ_u, and W¹Δ_u electronic states when the rotational quantum number J equals zero and the vibrational level G(v), the inertial rotation constant B_v, and the centrifugal distortion constant D_v of the first 30 vibrational states are reported, which accord well with the experimental data. The present results show that the two-point extrapolation scheme can obviously improve the quality of spectroscopic parameters and molecular constants.     

Local density valence band offset in GaAs/AlAs: Role of interface dipole

The valence band offset, ΔE_V ,at the lattice-matched GaAs/AlAs(001) interface is derived from highly precise self- consistent all-electron local density band structure calculations of the (GaAs)_n(AlAs)_n(001) superlattices (with n ⩽ 3). Using the core levels as reference energies, we find that ΔE_V = 0.50 ± 0.05 eV, in very good agreement with recent experimental results (ΔE_V = 0.45 − 0.55 eV). The dependence of ΔE_V on the superlattice thickness is studied and related to the interface charge redistribution which produces an interface dipole potential estimated to be ∼ 0.14 eV.     

Crystal growth and the electronic structure of Tl3PbCl5

Total and partial densities of states of constituent atoms of two tetragonal phases of Tl₃PbCl₅ (space groups P4₁2₁2 and P4₁) have been calculated using the full potential linearized augmented plane wave (FP-LAPW) method and Korringa-Kohn-Rostoker method within coherent potential approximation (KKR-CPA). The results obtained reveal the similarity of occupations of the valence band and the conduction band in the both tetragonal phases of Tl₃PbCl₅. The FP-LAPW and KKR-CPA data indicate that the valence band of Tl₃PbCl₅ is dominated by contributions of the Cl 3p-like states, which contribute mainly to the top and the central portion of the valence band with also significant contributions throughout the whole valence-band region. Further, the bottom of the valence band of Tl₃PbCl₅ is composed mainly of the Tl 6s-like states, while the bottom of the conduction band is dominated by contributions of the empty Pb 6p-like states. The KKR-CPA results allow to assume that the width of the valence band increases somewhat while band gap, E_g, decreases when changing the crystal structure from P4₁2₁2 to P4₁. The X-ray photoelectron core-level and valence-band spectra for pristine and Ar⁺-ion-irradiated surfaces of a Tl₃PbCl₅ monocrystal grown by the Bridgman-Stockbarger method have been measured.