Bulk modulus and its pressure derivatives of cuprous halides

The ab initio pseudopotential approach to the total crystal energy is presented using local DF formalism. The expressions for bulk modulus, its first and second pressure derivatives for group I-VII semiconductor binary compounds are derived. The expression for the second pressure derivative of the bulk modulus for four-fold crystal structures is derived for the first time within the pseudopotential framework. The computed results of the bulk modulus for cuprous halides are very close to the available experimental data.     

Structural and thermodynamic properties of MgB2 from first-principles calculations

A first-principles plane wave method with the relativistic analytic pseudopotential of Hartwigsen, Goedecker and Hutter (HGH) scheme in the frame of local density approximation is performed to calculate the lattice parameters and the equation of states (EOS) of superconducting MgB₂. Our calculations show that the ratio c/a of about 1.134 is the most stable structure for MgB₂, as is consistent with experiment and other theoretical results. Also, the isothermal and isobaric properties are discussed from energy-volume curves using a quasi-harmonic Debey model.     

First-principles study of the pressure-induced phase transition in CaTiO3

An investigation into the phase stabilities of CaTiO₃ under high pressure was conducted using first-principles calculations based on density functional theory. We have identified three candidate structures of CaTiO₃, Pbnm, Pm3m and Cmcm, respectively. Our results demonstrate that a phase transition from orthorhombic (Pbnm) to cubic (Pm3m) is impossible for CaTiO₃ under high pressure at ambient temperature, and further predict that Pbnm-CaTiO₃ will transform to post-perovskite phase (Cmcm) at enough temperature and pressure.     

Ultrahigh-Pressure Equation of State for Copper at 0K

Based on the first-principles all-electron full-potential augmented-plane-wave plus local orbital method, an equation of state （EOS） at OK for copper up to 10000 GPa （10^8 bar） is presented. Our recommended EOS is in good agreement with the available experimental data. Furthermore, the agreement between theoretical EOS of hcp and fcc lattices at extremely compressed condition sets the foundation of spherical atom models for high density and high temperate plasmas.     

Structural and elastic properties under pressure effect of the cubic antiperovskite compounds ANCa3 (A = P, As, Sb, and Bi)

Using first-principles density functional calculations, the effect of high pressures, up to 40 GPa, on the structural and elastic properties of ANCa₃, with A = P, As, Sb, and Bi, were studied by means of the pseudo-potential plane-waves method. Calculations were performed within the local density approximation and the generalized gradient approximation for exchange-correlation effects. The lattice constants are in good agreement with the available results. 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, Poisson's ratio and Lamé's constants for ideal polycrystalline ANCa₃ aggregates. By analysing the ratio between the bulk and shear moduli, we conclude that ANCa₃ compounds are brittle in nature. We estimated the Debye temperature of ANCa₃ from the average sound velocity. This is the first quantitative theoretical prediction of the elastic properties of PNCa₃, AsNCa₃, SbNCa₃, and BiNCa₃ compounds, and it still awaits experimental confirmation.     

Theoretical investigations on KClxBr1−x, KClxI1−x and KBrxI1−x: A first-principles study

Using first-principles total energy calculations within the full-potential linearized augmented plane wave (FP-LAPW) method, we have investigated the structural, electronic and thermodynamic properties of potassium halides (KCl_xBr_1−x, KCl_xI_1−x and KBr_xI_1−x), with x concentrations varying from 0% up to 100%. The effect of composition on lattice constants, bulk modulus, band gap and dielectric function was investigated. Deviations of the lattice constants from Vegard's law and the bulk modulus from linear concentration dependence (LCD) were observed for the three alloys. The microscopic origins of the gap bowing were explained by using the approach of Zunger and coworkers. On the other hand, the thermodynamic stability of these alloys was investigated by calculating the excess enthalpy of mixing ΔH_m as well as the phase diagram.     

Ab initio prediction of half-metallic ferromagnetism in Zn(TM)O2 (TM=Cr,Mn, Fe,Co, Ni) compounds

From the results of first principles tight-binding linear muffin-tin orbital (TB-LMTO) calculations, half-metallic ferromagnetism is proposed in Zn(TM)O₂ with a chalcopyrite structure. The calculated electronic and magnetic property shows that consistent with the integer value for the total magnetic moment, half metallicity is obtained for ZnCrO₂, ZnMnO₂, ZnFeO₂, ZnCoO₂ and ZnNiO₂. A careful analysis of the spin density reveals the ferromagnetic coupling between the p–d states and the cation dangling-bond p states, which is believed to be responsible for the stabilization of the ferromagnetic phase. The calculated heat of formation, bulk modulus and cohesive energy are reported.     

First-principles prediction of half-metallic ferromagnetism in Cd(TM)O2 (TM=Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni) compounds

We report the electronic structure of Cd(TM)O₂ (TM=Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni) in the chalcopyrite structures. From this study we find that Cd(TM)O₂ is a half-metallic ferromagnetic compound. From the energy consideration we find that Cd(TM)O₂ is more stable in chalcopyrite structure rather than in rock salt structure. A careful analysis of the spin density reveals the ferromagnetic coupling between the p-d states and the cation dangling-bond p states, which is believed to be responsible for the stabilization of the ferromagnetic phase. The calculated heat of formation, bulk modulus and cohesive energy are reported.     

First-principles calculations on the origins of the gap bowing in InAs1-xPx alloys

We perform self-consistent ab-initio calculations to study the structural, electronic and thermodynamic properties of InAs_1-xP_x alloy. The full potential-linearized augmented plane wave (FP-LAPW) method was employed within density functional theory (DFT). The ground-state properties are determined for the bulk materials (InAs and InP) as well as for the different concentration of their alloys. Deviations of the lattice constants from Vegard's law and the bulk modulus from linear concentration dependence (LCD) were observed. The microscopic origins of the gap bowing were explained by using the approach of Zunger and co-workers. The gap bowing for the alloy of interest was found to be mainly caused by the charge-exchange contributions. In addition, the thermodynamic stability of InAs_1-xP_x alloy was investigated by calculating the excess enthalpy of mixing ΔH_m and the calculated phase diagram showed a broad miscibility gap with a high critical temperature.     

Theoretical study of CuxAg1−xI alloys

We have performed first-principles calculations using full potential linearized augmented plane wave (FP-LAPW) method within density functional theory (DFT) to investigate the fundamental properties of Cu_xAg_1−xI alloys. We used both GGA96 [J.P. Perdew, K. Burke, M. Ernzerhof, Phys. Rev. Lett. 77 (1996) 3865.] and EVGGA [E. Engel, S.H. Vosko, Phys. Rev. B. 47 (1993) 13164.] generalized gradient approximations of the exchange-correlation energy that are based on the optimization of total energy and corresponding potential. Quantities such as lattice constants, bulk modulus, band gap, density of occupied states and effective mass were calculated as a function of copper molar fraction x. These parameters were found to depend non-linearly on alloy composition x, except the lattice parameter, which follows Vegard's law. The microscopic origins of the gap bowing were explained using the approach of Zunger and co-workers; we have concluded that the band-gap energy bowing was mainly caused by the chemical charge-transfer effect and the volume deformation , while the structural relaxation contribute to the gap bowing parameter at smaller magnitude. The calculated phase diagram shows a broad miscibility gap for this alloy with a high critical temperature.     

Electronic topological transition and phase transition in rhodium and iridium based inter metallic compounds

Of the Rh₃Y, Rh₃La, Ir₃Y and Ir₃La inter-metallic compounds, the compound Rh₃Y exists in hexagonal structure, Ir₃Y and Ir₃La exist in rhombohedral structure, whereas the compound Rh₃La exists in both hexagonal and rhombohedral structures. Based on our tight binding-linear muffin tin orbital (TB-LMTO) study of other rhodium and iridium-based Rh₃X and Ir₃X (where X=Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Nb, Ta and Sc) inter-metallic compounds of AuCu₃ type cubic structure, an attempt is made to examine whether the compounds Rh₃Y, Rh₃La, Ir₃Y and Ir₃La will undergo a structural phase transition to cubic structure from their experimentally reported structures. From our study, it is observed that the compounds Rh₃Y and Rh₃La undergo a structural phase transition to cubic phase at 4.5 and 10.1 GPa, respectively, from their experimentally reported hexagonal and rhombohedral phases. Further it is predicted that both the compounds Ir₃Y and Ir₃La can exist in the cubic phase itself at ambient condition, in contrary to the experimental observation. From the band structure outputs that have been plotted for the compounds under compression, it is observed that the compounds Rh₃La, Ir₃Y and Ir₃La undergo the Lifshitz type of transition which may change the Fermi surface topology and hence the physical properties of these compounds.     

Comparative investigations of the P-V-T relationship of NaCl at high pressure and temperature

Two different potential models of molecular dynamics (MD) simulations have been applied to investigate the pressure-volume-temperature (P-V-T) relationship and lattice parameter of NaCl under high pressure and temperature. The first one is the shell model (SM) potentials in which due to the short-range interaction pairs of ions are moved together as is the case in polarization of a crystal due to the motion of the positive and negative ions, and the second one is the two-body rigid-ion Born-Mayer-Huggins-Fumi-Tosi (BMHFT) potentials with full treatment of long-range Coulomb forces. The P-V relationship at 300 K, T-V relationship at zero pressure, and lattice parameter a, have been obtained and compared with the available experimental data and other theoretical results. Compared with SM potentials, the MD simulation with BMHFT potentials is very successful in reproducing accurately the measured volumes of NaCl. At an extended pressure and temperature ranges, P-V relationship under different isotherms at selected temperatures, T-V relationship under different pressures, and lattice parameter a have also been predicted. The properties of NaCl are summarized in the pressure range 0-30 GPa and the temperature up to 2000 K.     

Molecular dynamics simulation of P-V-T relationship of ZnO with rock-salt structure using pair-wise interactions

Molecular dynamics (MD) method is used to investigate the behavior of the pressure-volume-temperature (P-V-T) relationship, lattice constant and thermal expansivity for ZnO with rock-salt structure at high pressures and temperatures. The interionic potential is taken to be the sum of pair-wise additive Coulomb, van der Waals attraction, and repulsive interactions. The isothermal and isobaric properties are discussed from the corresponding P-V-T relationship, and it is shown that the MD simulation is successful in reproducing the measured volumes of ZnO over a wide range of temperature and pressure. Meanwhile, the equations of state parameters including lattice constant, linear thermal expansion coefficient, and isothermal bulk modulus are calculated and compared with the available experimental data and the latest theoretical results. At an extended pressure and temperature range, P-V-T relationship, lattice constant, and linear thermal expansion coefficient have been predicted. The structural and thermodynamic properties of ZnO with rock-salt structure are summarized in the pressure 0-100 GPa ranges and the temperature up to 3100 K.     

Electronic structure calculations for BaSxSe1−x alloys

A series of first principles calculations have been carried out to study structural, electronic properties of BaS_xSe_1−x alloys. We have used the local density as well as the generalized gradient approximations for the exchange-correlation potential. The structural properties of these materials, in particular the composition dependence to the lattice constant and bulk modulus, are found to be linear. It is also found linear relationship between theoretical band gaps and 1/a² (where a is lattice constant).     

Ab initio density functional theory investigation of Li-intercalated silicon carbide nanotube bundles

We present the results of ab initio density functional theory calculations on the energetic, and geometric and electronic structure of Li-intercalated (6,6) silicon carbide nanotube (SiCNT) bundles. Our results show that intercalation of lithium leads to the significant changes in the geometrical structure. The most prominent effect of Li intercalation on the electronic band structure is a shift of the Fermi energy which occurs as a result of charge transfer from lithium to the SiCNTs. All the Li-intercalated (6,6) SiCNT bundles are predicted to be metallic representing a substantial change in electronic properties relative to the undoped bundle, which is a wide band gap semiconductor. Both inside of the nanotube and the interstitial space are susceptible for intercalation. The present calculations suggest that the SiCNT bundle is a promising candidate for the anode material in battery applications.     

Density functional approach to study 5f electron behavior and electric field gradient in NpRh3

We have presented results on the electronic structure and the electric field gradient (EFG) of NpRh₃ within a framework of density functional theory within the local density approximation (LDA) and generalized gradient approximation (GGA) with and without spin-orbit coupling (SOC). The electronic density of states (DOS) shows that Np-f to Rh-d hybridization leads to a narrow band 5f-electron. Using the GGA and spinpolarized calculations, the calculated EFG shows that the dominant contribution to EFG comes from electrons with strong p-character.     

Orbital and magnetic structure of quasi-1D cobaltites: Ab initio calculations and experiment

The magnetic properties of the orbitally degenerate quasi-one-dimensional cobaltites Sr_xBa_1−xCoO₃ are explained on the basis of a phase separation phenomenon. Noninteracting magnetic particles embedded in a nonferromagnetic matrix develop in the system. Details are given about the electronic and magnetic structure for x=0,0.2$x=0,0.2$ and 0.5. At x=0.5$x=0.5$, the geometry of the CoO₆ trigonally distorted octahedra changes by about 1–2%, but magnetic particles get 3 times bigger, compared to the parent compound, with the corresponding changes in the magnetic properties. The electronic structure of the Co⁴⁺ ion, however, stays roughly unchanged.     

Analysis of P-V-T relationships and thermodynamic properties for some alkali halides

In this paper, Pandey approximation for the volume dependence of Anderson-Grüneisen parameter at fixed pressure, Anderson approximation for the temperature dependence of thermal expansivity, the equations of thermal expansivity along isobars derived by Shanker et al., and the presented approximation for the volume dependence of Anderson-Grüneisen parameter along isobars, have been used to study and predict the pressure-volume-temperature (P-V-T) data and the variations of the volume expansion coefficient and isothermal bulk modulus with temperature and pressure for NaCl, CsCl, LiF, NaF crystals, up to 30 GPa and in the temperature range 298-1073 K. The calculated values are compared with each other. It is found that these equations-of-state are valid and present good agreement with the available experimental data.     

First-principles studies of magnetic properties and electronic structure of EuC60

The full potential linearized augmented plane wave (FP-LAPW) method with the GGA+U approach was applied to study the electronic structures of the compound Eu₆C₆₀. Present calculations show that the hybridization between the Eu s, d state and the C₆₀ π states plays an essential role in its FM exchange interactions between the 4f electrons and metallic properties.     

Th3Ni2B2N3 a possible new superconducting compound: insights from electronic band structure

La₃Ni₂B₂N₃, which is similar to YNi₂B₂C and related borocarbides, was earlier studied by the electronic structure calculations [D.J. Singh, W.E. Pickett, Phys. Rev. B 51 (1995) 8668.], and was predicted to be a 3-D metal. In search of new compounds of the borocarbide and related families to get higher T_C, we have studied the compound Th₃Ni₂B₂N₃, by the first principles full potential electronic structure calculations by the linear augmented plane wave method. We get similar band structure for Th₃Ni₂B₂N₃ as found for La₃Ni₂B₂N₃, and the various atom-split component density of states show similar properties. The total electron density of states at Fermi level has been increased to about 92 states per Ry per f.u. as compared to 57 states per Ry per f.u. in La₃Ni₂B₂N₃. The main increase is due to the increased hybridization of the 5f states as seen by the more prominent low energy tail in the Th-component density of states. Based on this enhancement we predict Th₃Ni₂B₂N₃ to be a high temperature superconductor with a T_c in excess of 30 K.