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.     

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.     

Theoretical study of the structural, elastic, electronic and thermal properties of the MAX phase Nb2SiC

Structural, elastic, electronic and thermal properties of the MAX phase Nb₂SiC are studied by means of a pseudo-potential plane-wave method based on the density functional theory. The optimized zero pressure geometrical parameters are in good agreement with the available theoretical data. The effect of high pressure, up to 40 GPa, on the lattice constants shows that the contractions along the c-axis were higher than those along the a-axis. The elastic constants C_ij and elastic wave velocities are calculated for monocrystal Nb₂SiC. Numerical estimations of the bulk modulus, shear modulus, Young’s modulus, Poisson’s ratio, average sound velocity and Debye temperature for ideal polycrystalline Nb₂SiC aggregates are performed in the framework of the Voigt-Reuss-Hill approximation. The band structure shows that Nb₂SiC is an electrical conductor. The analysis of the atomic site projected densities and the charge density distribution shows that the bonding is of covalent-ionic nature with the presence of metallic character. The density of states at Fermi level is dictated by the niobium d states; Si element has a little effect. Thermal effects on some macroscopic properties of Nb₂SiC are predicted using the quasi-harmonic Debye model, in which the lattice vibrations are taken into account. The variations of the primitive cell volume, volume expansion coefficient, bulk modulus, heat capacity and Debye temperature with pressure and temperature in the ranges of 0-40 GPa and 0-2000 K are obtained successfully.     

Electronic and optical properties under pressure effect of alkali metal oxides

We report results of first-principles calculations for the electronic and optical properties under pressure effect of Li₂O, Na₂O, Ki₂O and Rb₂O compounds in the cubic antifluorite structure, using a full relativistic version of the full-potential augmented plane-wave plus local orbitals (FP-APW+lo) method based on density functional theory, within the local density approximation (LDA) and the generalized gradient approximation (GGA). Moreover, the alternative form of GGA proposed by Engel and Vosko (GGA-EV) is also used for band structure calculations. The calculated equilibrium lattices and bulk moduli are in good agreement with the available data. Band structure, density of states, and pressure coefficients of the fundamental energy gap are given. The critical point structure of the frequency dependent complex dielectric function is also calculated and analyzed to identify the optical transitions. The pressure dependence of the static optical dielectric constant is also investigated.     

Optoelectronic and thermoelectric properties of Zintl YLi3X2(X=Sb,Bi) compounds through modified Becke—Johnson potential

In the present work, we investigate the structural, optoelectronic and thermoelectric properties of the YLi₃X₂(X=Sb, Bi) compounds using the full potential augmented plane wave plus local orbital (FP-APW+lo) method. The exchange-correlation potential is treated with the generalized gradient approximation/local density approximation (GGA/LDA) and with the modified Becke-Johnson potential (TB-mBJ) in order to improve the electronic band structure calculations. In addition, the estimated ground state properties such as the lattice constants, external parameters, and bulk moduli agree well with the available experimental data. Our band structure calculations with GGA and LDA predict that both compounds have semimetallic behaviors. However, the band structure calculations with the GGA/TB-mBJ approximation indicate that the ground state of the YLi₃Sb₂ compound is semiconducting and has an estimated indirect band gap (Γ-L) of about 0.036 eV while the ground state of YLi₃Bi₂ compound is semimetallic. Conversely the LDA/TB-mBJ calculations indicate that both compounds exhibit semiconducting characters and have an indirect band gap (Γ-L) of about 0.15 eV and 0.081 eV for YLi₃Sb and YLi₃Bi₂ respectively. Additionally, the optical properties reveal strong responses of the herein materials in the energy range between the IR and extreme UV regions. Thermoelectric properties such as thermal conductivity, electrical conductivity, Seebeck coefficient, and thermo power factors are also calculated.     

Elastic,electronic and thermodynamic properties of fluoro-perovskite KZnF3 via first-principles calculations

The elastic, electronic and thermodynamic properties of fluoro-perovskite KZnF₃ have been calculated using the full-potential linearized augmented plane wave (FP-LAPW) method. The exchange-correlation potential is treated with the generalized gradient approximation of Perdew-Burke-Ernzerhof (GGA-PBE). Also, we have used the Engel and Vosko GGA formalism (GGA-EV) to improve the electronic band structure calculations. The calculated structural properties are in good agreement with available experimental and theoretical data. The elastic constants C _ij are calculated using the total energy variation with strain technique. The shear modulus, Young’s modulus, Poisson’s ratio and the Lamé coefficients for polycrystalline KZnF₃ aggregates are estimated in the framework of the Voigt-Reuss-Hill approximations. The ductility behavior of this compound is interpreted via the calculated elastic constants C _ij . Electronic and bonding properties are discussed from the calculations of band structure, density of states and electron charge density. The thermodynamic properties are predicted through the quasi-harmonic Debye model, in which the lattice vibrations are taken into account. The variation of bulk modulus, lattice constant, heat capacities and the Debye temperature with pressure and temperature are successfully obtained.     

Structural,elastic, electronic and optical properties of the cubic perovskite BiAlO3

We report first-principles study of structural, elastic, electronic and optical properties of the cubic perovskite-type BiAlO₃ using the pseudopotential plane waves method within the local density approximation. The calculated structural parameters are in good agreement with previous calculations. The elastic constants and their pressure dependence are calculated using the static finite strain technique. A linear pressure dependence of the elastic stiffness is found. Band structures show that BiAlO₃ has an indirect band gap between the occupied O 2p and unoccupied Bi 6p states. The density of states and Mulliken charge populations analysis shows that Al–O and Bi–O bonds are covalent with a strong hybridization. The variation of the gap versus pressure is well fitted to a quadratic function and an indirect to direct band gap transition occurs at 15.5 GPa. Furthermore, in order to understand the optical properties of BiAlO₃, the dielectric function, absorption coefficient, refractive index, extinction coefficient, optical reflectivity and electron energy loss are calculated for radiation up to 30 eV.     

Structural and thermodynamic properties of the cubic perovskite BiAlO3

The structural and elastic properties of the cubic perovskite-type BiAlO₃ are studied using the pseudopotential plane wave method within the local density approximation. The calculated structural parameters are in good agreement with previous calculations. The elastic constants are calculated using the static finite strain technique. Thermal effects on some macroscopic properties of BiAlO₃ are predicted using the quasi-harmonic Debye model, in which the lattice vibrations are taken in account. We have obtained successfully the variations of the lattice constant, volume expansion coefficient, heat capacities and Debye temperature with pressure and temperature in the ranges of 0-30 GPa and 0-1000 K.     

Electronic properties of orthorhombic LiGaS<Subscript>2</Subscript> and LiGaSe<Subscript>2</Subscript>

We report theoretical calculations of the band structure and density of states for orthorhombic LiGaS₂ (LGS) and LiGaSe₂ (LGSe). These calculations are based on the full potential linear augmented plane wave (FP-LAPW) method within a framework of density functional theory. Our calculations show that these crystals have similar band structures. The valence band maximum (VBM) and the conduction band minimum (CBM) are located at Γ, resulting in a direct energy band gap. The VBM is dominated by S/Se-p and Li-p states, while the CBM is dominated by Ga-s, S/Se-p and small contributions of Li-p and Ga-p. From the partial density of states we find that Li-p hybridizes with Li-s below the Fermi energy (E _F), while Li-s/p hybridizes with Ga-p below and above E _F. Also, we note that S/Se-p hybridizes with Ga-s below and above E _F.     

First-principle calculations of structural,electronic and magnetic investigations of Mn2RuGe1-xSnx quaternary Heusler alloys

First-principles calculations were used to calculate the structural, electronic and half-metallic ferromagnetism of Mn₂RuGe_1-xSn_x (x?=?0, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, 1) Heusler alloys. The Hg₂CuTi-type structure is found to be energetic more than Cu₂MnAl-type structure for both Mn₂RuGe and Mn₂RuSn compounds. The calculated lattice constants for Mn₂RuGe and Mn₂RuSn are 5.91?Å and 6.17?Å, respectively. The electronic band structures and density of states of Mn₂RuGe show a half metallic character with total magnetic moments, 2 μ_B per formula unit that are in good agreement with Slater-Pauling rule with indirect band gap, 0.31?eV along the direction Γ –X. It is observed that the total magnetic moment per cell increases as Sn concentration increases in the Heusler alloys.