First principles study of structural, elastic, electronic and optical properties of the cubic perovskite BaHfO3

First principles study of structural, elastic, electronic and optical properties of the cubic perovskite-type BaHfO₃ has been reported using the pseudo-potential plane wave method within the local density approximation. The calculated equilibrium lattice is in a reasonable agreement with the available experimental data. The elastic constants and their pressure dependence are calculated using the static finite strain technique. A linear pressure dependence of the elastic stiffnesses is found. Band structures show that BaHfO₃ is a direct band gap between the occupied O 2p and unoccupied Hf d states. The variation of the gap versus pressure is well fitted to a quadratic function. Furthermore, in order to understand the optical properties of BaHfO₃, the dielectric function, absorption coefficient, optical reflectivity, refractive index, extinction coefficient, and electron energy loss are calculated for radiation up to 30 eV. We have found that O 2p states and Hf 5d states play a major role in the optical transitions as initial and final states, respectively. This is the first quantitative theoretical prediction of the elastic, electronic and optical properties of BaHfO₃ compound, and it still awaits experimental confirmation.     

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.     

FP-LMTO calculations of the structural,elastic, thermodynamic,and electronic properties of the ideal-cubic perovskite BiGaO3

Using the first-principles full-potential linear muffin-tin orbital method within the local density approximation, we have studied the structural, elastic, thermodynamic, and electronic properties of the ideal-cubic perovskite BiGaO₃. It is found that this compound has an indirect band gap. The valence band maximum (VBM) is located at Γ-point, whereas the conduction band minimum (CBM) is located at X-point. The pressure and volume dependences of the energy band gaps have been calculated. The elastic constants at equilibrium are also determined. We derived the bulk and shear moduli, Young’s modulus, and Poisson’s ratio. The thermodynamic properties are predicted through the quasi-harmonic Debye model, in which the lattice vibrations are taken into account. The variation of the bulk modulus, heat capacities, and Debye temperature with pressure and temperature are successfully obtained.     

First-principles calculations of structural, elastic, electronic and optical properties of the antiperovskite AsNMg3

The density functional theory (DFT) calculations of structural, elastic, electronic and optical properties of the cubic antiperovskite AsNMg₃ has been reported using the pseudo-potential plane wave method (PP-PW) within the generalized gradient approximation (GGA). The equilibrium lattice, bulk modulus and its pressure derivative have been determined. The elastic constants and their pressure dependence are calculated using the static finite strain technique. We derived the bulk and shear moduli, Young's modulus and Poisson's ratio for ideal polycrystalline AsNMg₃ aggregate. We estimated the Debye temperature of AsNMg₃ from the average sound velocity. This is the first quantitative theoretical prediction of the elastic properties of AsNMg₃ compound, and it still awaits experimental confirmation. Band structure, density of states and pressure coefficients of energy gaps are also given. The fundamental band gap (Γ-Γ) initially increases up to 4 GPa and then decreases as a function of pressure. Furthermore, the dielectric function, optical reflectivity, refractive index, extinction coefficient, and electron energy loss are calculated for radiation up to 30 eV. The all results are compared with the available theoretical and experimental data.     

Structural, electronic, elastic and optical properties of fluoro-perovskite KZnF3

We determine the structural, electronic, elastic and optical properties of fluoro-perovskite KZnF₃ using the full potential linear augmented plane wave approach (FP-LAPW) based on the density functional theory (DFT). The exchange-correlation potential is treated by the local density approximation (LDA) and the generalized gradient approximation (GGA). The calculated structural parameters are in good agreement with the available data. We have obtained an indirect band gap. The effect of the pressure on the band gaps is investigated. We evaluate the elastic constants (C_ij), elastic moduli and the Debye temperature. The imaginary and the real parts of the dielectric function ε(ω) and some optical constants are also calculated.     

Structural,elastic, electronic,optical and thermal properties of c-SiGe<Subscript>2</Subscript>N<Subscript>4</Subscript>

We have investigated the structural, elastic, electronic, optical and thermal properties of c-SiGe₂N₄ by using the ultrasoft pseudopotential density functional method within the generalized gradient approximation. The calculated structural parameters, including the lattice constant, the internal free parameter, the bulk modulus and its pressure derivative are in agreement with the available data. The independent elastic constants and their pressure dependence, calculated using the static finite strain technique, satisfy the requirement of mechanical stability, indicating that c-SiGe₂N₄ compound could be stable. We derive the shear modulus, Young’s modulus, Poisson’s ratio and Lamé’s coefficients for ideal polycrystalline c-SiGe₂N₄ aggregate in the framework of the Voigt-Reuss-Hill approximation. We estimate the Debye temperature of this compound from the average sound velocity. Band structure, density of states, Mulliken charge populations and pressure coefficients of energy band gaps are investigated. Furthermore, in order to understand the optical properties of c-SiGe₂N₄, the dielectric function, refractive index, extinction coefficient, optical reflectivity and electron energy loss are calculated for radiation up to 40 eV. Thermal effects on some macroscopic properties of c-SiGe₂N₄ are predicted using the quasi-harmonic Debye model in which the lattice vibrations are taken into account. We have obtained successfully the variations of the primitive cell volume, volume expansion coefficient, heat capacities and Debye temperature with pressure and temperature in the ranges of 0–40 GPa and 0–2000 K. For the first time, the numerical estimates of the elastic constants and related parameters, and the thermal properties are performed for c-SiGe₂N₄.     

Structural,elastic, electronic and optical properties of the cubic perovskites CaXO3 (X=Hf and Sn)

The structural, elastic, electronic and optical properties of CaXO₃ compounds with the cubic perovskites structure have been investigated, by employing a first principles method, using the plane wave pseudo potential calculations (PP-PW), based on the density functional theory (DFT), within the local density approximation (LDA). The elastic constants and their pressure dependence are calculated using the static finite strain technique. We derived the bulk, shear and Young’s moduli for ideal monocrystalline and for polycrystalline CaXO₃ aggregates which we have classified as ductile in nature. Band structures reveal that these compounds are indirect energy band gap (R-G) semiconductors; the analysis of the site and momentum projected densities, valence charge density bond length, bond population and Milliken charges, shows that bonding is of covalent–ionic nature. We have found that the elastic constants C₁₁, C₁₂, C₄₄ are in good correlation with the bonding properties. The optical constants, including the dielectric function, optical reflectivity, refractive index and electron energy loss, are calculated for radiation up to 20 eV.     

The under-pressure behaviour of mechanical,electronic and optical properties of calcium titanate and its ground state thermoelectric response

Abstract

In this study, the elastic, electronic, optical and thermoelectric properties of CaTiO₃ perovskite oxide have been investigated using first-principles calculations. The generalised gradient approximation (GGA) has been employed for evaluating structural and elastic properties, while the modified Becke Johnson functional is used for studying the optical response of this compound. In addition to ground state physical properties, we also investigate the effects of pressure (0, 30, 60, 90 and 120 GPa) on the electronic structure of CaTiO₃. The application of pressure from 0 to 90 GPa shows that the indirect band gap (Γ-M) of CaTiO₃ increases with increasing pressure and at 120 GPa it spontaneously decreases transforming cubic CaTiO₃ to a direct (Γ-Γ) band gap material. The complex dielectric function and some optical parameters are also investigated under the application of pressures. All the calculated optical properties have been found to exhibit a shift to the higher energies with the increase of applied pressure suggesting potential optoelectronic device applications of CaTiO₃. The thermoelectric properties of CaTiO₃ have been computed at 0 GPa in terms of electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity and Seebeck coefficient.     

FP-LMTO calculations of elastic and electronic properties of the filled skutterudite CeRu4P12

First-principles calculations have been used to investigate the structural, electronic and elastic properties of the filled skutterudite CeRu₄P₁₂, using the full-potential linear muffin-tin orbital (FP-LMTO) method. The exchange-correlation energy is described in the local spin density approximation (LSDA) using the Perdew–Wang parameterization. The results of the electronic properties show that this compound is an indirect band gap material. A special interest has been made to the determination of the elastic constants since there have been no available experimental and theoretical data. The energy band gaps and their volume and pressure dependence are investigated. Our results of the ground-state electronic properties are found to agree with experimental results.     

First-principles calculations of structural, electronic, optical and elastic properties of magnesite MgCO3 and calcite CaCO3

Detailed ab initio calculations of the structural, electronic, optical and elastic properties of two crystals - magnesite (MgCO₃) and calcite (CaCO₃) - are reported in the present paper. Both compounds are important natural minerals, playing an important role in the carbon dioxide cycling. The optimized crystal structures, band gaps, density of states diagrams, elastic constants, optical absorption spectra and refractive indexes dependence on the wavelength all have been calculated and compared, when available, with literature data. Both crystals are indirect band compounds, with calculated band gaps of 5.08 eV for MgCO₃ and 5.023 eV for CaCO₃. Both values are underestimated by approximately 1.0 eV with respect to the experimental data. Although both crystals have the same structure, substitution of Mg by Ca ions leads to certain differences, which manifest themselves in noticeable change in the electronic bands profiles and widths, shape of the calculated absorption spectra, and values of the elastic constants. Response of both crystals to the applied hydrostatic pressure was analyzed in the pressure range of phase stability, variations of the lattice parameters and characteristic interionic distances were considered. The obtained dependencies of lattice constants and calculated band gap on pressure can be used for prediction of properties of these two hosts at elevated pressures that occur in the Earth's mantle.     

An ab initio study of the structural,elastic, electronic and optical properties of the newly synthesized nitridoaluminate LiCaAlN2

The structural parameters, elastic constants, electronic structure and optical properties of the recently reported monoclinic quaternary nitridoaluminate LiCaAlN₂ are investigated in detail using the ab initio plane-wave pseudopotential method within the generalized gradient approximation. The calculated equilibrium structural parameters are in excellent agreement with the experimental data, which validate the reliability of the applied theoretical method. The chemical and structural stabilities of LiCaAlN₂ are confirmed by calculating the cohesion energy and enthalpy of formation. Chemical band stiffness is calculated to explain the pressure dependence of the lattice parameters. Through the band structure calculation, LiCaAlN₂ is predicted to be an indirect band gap of 2.725 eV. The charge-carrier effective masses are estimated from the band structure dispersions. The frequency-dependent dielectric function, absorption coefficient, refractive index, extinction coefficient, reflectivity coefficient and electron energy loss function spectra are calculated for polarized incident light in a wide energy range. Optical spectra exhibit a noticeable anisotropy. Single-crystal and polycrystalline elastic constants and related properties, including isotropic sound velocities and Debye temperatures, are numerically estimated. The calculated elastic constants and elastic compliances are used to analyse and visualize the elastic anisotropy of LiCaAlN₂. The calculated elastic constants demonstrate the mechanical stability and brittle behaviour of the considered material.     

First-principles studies of the electronic and elastic properties of Ti2GeC

We have performed first-principles studies on electronic structure and elastic properties of Ti₂GeC. The calculated band structure shows that this compound is electrical conductor. From the pressure dependence of elastic constants, we find that Ti₂GeC is most stable in the pressure range from 0 to 100 GPa. The strong Ti 3d, Ge 4p and C 2p hybridization may stabilize the structure of Ti₂GeC. By analyzing the ratio between the bulk and shear moduli, we conclude that Ti₂GeC is brittle in nature, and the brittleness of Ti₂GeC originated from the large value of Ti atom occupying the internal parameter z.     

Mechanical,electronic and optical properties of SeZnO3: a GGA+U study

ABSTRACT

Based on first principles computations, the structural, mechanical, electronic band structure, and optical properties of SeZnO₃ compound have been predicted. The dependence of selected observables of SeZnO₃ compound on the effective U (the Hubbard on-site Coulomb repulsion) parameter has been investigated in detail. The elastic constant, Young’s modulus, bulk modulus, shear modulus, Poisson ratio, anisotropic factor, acoustic velocity, and Debye temperature have been computed. The calculated electronic band structure and density of states indicate that SeZnO₃ is a semiconductor material and has indirect band gap. The computations of the optical spectra, as a function of the incident photon radiation in 0–35?eV energy range has also been performed and the interband transitions are examined. The results indicate that Hubbard parameter plays a crucial role in explaining mechanical, electronic, and optical properties of SeZnO₃.     

高压下闪锌矿InN光电性质的密度泛函研究

 采用密度泛函理论,计算了闪锌矿型InN在压力下的结构、力学性质和光学性质,结果显示,随着压强的增大晶格常数减小。给出了零压下C₁₁、C₁₂、B、C_s、C₄₄的值及至70 GPa压力下弹性常数随压强的变化关系。结果表明,C₁₁、C₁₂、B随压强增大而增大,C_s、C₄₄随压强增大而减小,计算结果与现有实验和理论结果符合较好。在价带区,InN的分态密度（PDOS）有两个带,且在费米面附近密度很小,显示其倾向于形成稳定结构并且导电性较差。对闪锌矿型InN在高压下的光学性质研究发现,导带电子向高能方向偏移,而价带电子向低能方向偏移,结果导致能带间隙增大,光吸收谱在压力的作用发生了“蓝移”。研究结果对认识高压下闪锌矿型InN的结构、电学及光学性质具有重要意义。     

Influence of valence electron concentration on elastic, electronic and optical properties of the alkaline-earth tin oxides A3SnO (A=Ca, Sr and Ba): A comparative study with ASnO3 compounds

By employing first principles method of the plane wave pseudo potential calculations (PP-PW), based on the density functional theory (DFT), within the local density approximation (LDA), the correlation between valence electron concentration and structural, elastic, electronic as well as optical properties of A₃SnO and ASnO₃ compounds where A=Ca, Sr and Ba are investigated. The elastic constants and their pressure dependence are calculated using the static finite strain technique. We derived the bulk, shear and Young's moduli for ideal monocrystalline and for polycrystalline A₃SnO and ASnO₃ aggregates. Band structures reveal that alkaline-earth tin oxides A₃SnO are direct energy band gap (G-G) materials.The hardness of these compounds was explained using chemical bonding properties and Milliken charges transfer. The optical constants, including the dielectric function, optical reflectivity, refractive index and electron energy loss, are calculated for radiation up to 20 eV. We have found that the static dielectric constants of all these compounds are in good agreement with Penn model.     

First-principles studies of structural,mechanical, electronic,optical properties and pressure-induced phase transition of CuInO2 polymorph

Using the first-principles density-functional theory within the generalized gradient approximation (GGA), we have investigated the structural, elastic, mechanical, electronic, and optical properties and phase transition of CuInO₂. Structural parameters including lattice constants and internal parameter, pressure effects and phase transition pressure were calculated. We have obtained the elastic coefficients, bulk modulus, shear modulus, Young's modulus and Poisson's ratio. We find that two phases of CuInO₂ are indirect band gap semiconductors (F–Γ and H–Γ for 3R and 2H, respectively). Optical properties, including the dielectric function, refractive index, extinction coefficient, reflectivity, absorption coefficient, loss function and optical conductivity have been obtained for radiations of up to 30 eV.     

The first principles study on the Boron antimony compound

We present the results of our calculations on Boron antimony (BSb) compound in zinc-blende (ZB) and rock-salt (RS) structures by performing ab initio calculations within the local density approximation (LDA). Some basic physical properties, such as lattice constant, bulk modulus, cohesive energy, phase transition pressure, second-order elastic constants (C_ij), phonon frequencies, and some band structural parameters are calculated and compared with those obtained with other recent theoretical works. In order to further understand the behaviour of BSb compound, we have also predicted, the pressure-dependent behaviours of the band gap, second-order elastic constants (C_ij), Young's modulus, poison ratios (ν), Anizotropy factor (A), sound velocities, and Debye temperature for this hypothetical compound.     

Effect of conduction band nonparabolicity on the optical properties in a single quantum well under hydrostatic pressure and electric field

The effect of conduction band nonparabolicity on the linear and nonlinear optical properties such as absorption coefficients, and changes in the refractive index are calculated in the Al_0.3Ga_0.7As/GaAs heterostructure-based symmetric rectangular quantum well under applied hydrostatic pressure and electric field. The electron envelope functions and energies are calculated in the effective mass equation including the conduction band nonparabolicity. The linear and nonlinear optical properties have been calculated in the density matrix formalism with two-level approximation. The conduction band nonparabolicity shifts the positions of the optical properties and decreases their strength compared to those without this correction. Both the optical properties are enhanced with the applied hydrostatic pressure. While the absorption coefficients are bleached under the combined effect of high pressure and electric field, the bleaching effect is reduced when nonparabolicity is included.     

Pressure effect on structural,electronic optical and thermodynamic properties of cubic AlxIn1-xP: a first-principles study

ABSTRACT

First-principles total energy calculations have been performed using the full potential linearised augmented plane wave (FP-LAPW) method as implemented in the WIEN2k code based on the density functional theory (DFT) to investigate the Al-doping effects on the structural, electronic and optical properties of Al_xIn_1-xP ternary alloys in the zinc-blende (ZB) phase. Different approximations of exchange-correlations energy were used such as the local density approximation (LDA), the generalised gradient approximation within parameterisation of Perdew–Burke–Ernzerhof (PBE-GGA), and the Wu-Cohen (WC-GGA). In addition, we have calculated the band structures with high accuracy using the Tran-Blaha modified Becke–Johnson (TB-mBJ) approach. The pressure dependence of the electronic and optical properties of binary AlP, InP compounds and their related ternary alloys Al_xIn_1-xP were also investigated under hydrostatic pressure for (P?=?0.0, 5.0,10.0, 15.0, 20.0, 25.0?GPa), where it is found that InP compound change from direct to indirect band gap for P?≥?9.16?GPa. Furthermore, we have calculated the thermodynamic properties of InP and AlP binary compounds as well as the Al_xIn_1-xP solid solutions, where the quasi-harmonic Debye model has been employed to predict the pressure and temperature dependent Gibbs free energy, heat capacity, Debye temperature and entropy.     

First-principles investigation of structural, electronic, optical and dynamical properties in CsAu

The structural, electronic, optical and dynamical properties of CsAu compound in the CsCl(B2) phase were investigated using the density functional theory (DFT) within the generalized gradient approximation (GGA). The calculated lattice constant, static bulk modulus and first-order pressure derivative of the bulk modulus are reported and compared with previous experimental and theoretical calculations. The calculated electronic band structure for this compound is in good agreement with available theoretical and experimental studies. The present band calculation indicates that CsAu compound has an indirect gap at R→X points. Furthermore, the linear photon-energy-dependent dielectric functions have been calculated. For the first time, the electronic structure results are used, within the implementation of a linear-response technique, for calculations of phonon properties.