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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 973 records · Page 54
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2014

Electronic structure and morphology of epitaxial Bi{sub 2}Te{sub 2}Se topological insulator films

Epitaxial films of the ternary topological insulator Bi{sub 2}Te{sub 2}Se were grown on Si(111) substrates and investigated for their surface electronic properties and morphology. We employ a Se-capping procedure allowing for the preparation of clean films in the surface-analysis experimental setups. Using angle-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy, we determine the dispersion of the topological surface state. With time after surface preparation, the spectroscopic features in the surface electronic structure exhibit significant temperature-dependent shifts to higher binding energies. Scanning tunneling microscopy images show terraces with typical step edge separations of 50 nm–150 nm. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy indicates an increased Se concentration at the surface.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2017

Monte Carlo simulations of disorder in ZnSn N 2 and the effects on the electronic structure

In multinary compound semiconductors, cation disorder can decisively alter the electronic properties and impact potential applications. ZnSnN 2 is a ternary nitride of interest for photovoltaics, which forms in a wurtzite-derived crystal structure. In the ground state, every N anion is coordinated by two Zn and two Sn cations, thereby observing the octet rule locally. Using a motif-based model Hamiltonian, we performed Monte Carlo simulations that provide atomistic representations of ZnSnN 2 with varying degrees of cation disorder. Subsequent electronic structure calculations describe the evolution of band gaps, optical properties, and carrier localization effects as a function of the disorder. We find that octet-rule conserving disorder is practically impossible to avoid but perfectly benign, with hardly any effects on the electronic structure. In contrast, a fully random cation distribution would be very detrimental, but fortunately it is energetically highly unfavorable. A degree of disorder that can realistically be expected for nonequilibrium thin-film deposition leads to a moderate band-gap reduction and to moderate carrier localization effects. Comparing the simulated structures with experimental samples grown by sputtering, we find evidence that these samples indeed incorporate a certain degree of octet-rule violating disorder, which is reflected in the x-ray diffraction and in the optical absorption spectra. This study demonstrates that the electronic properties of ZnSnN 2 are dominated by changes of the local coordination environments rather than long-range ordering effects.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2015

Ground and excited states of the [Fe(H2O)6]2+ and [Fe(H2O)6]3+ clusters: Insight into the electronic structure of the [Fe(H2O)6]2+ – [Fe(H2O)6]3+ complex

We report the ground and low lying electronically excited states of the [Fe(H2O)6]2+ and [Fe(H2O)6]3+ clusters using multi-configuration electronic structure theory. In particular, we have constructed the Potential Energy Curves (PECs) with respect to the iron-oxygen distance when removing all water ligands at the same time from the cluster minima and established their correlation to the long range dissociation channels. Due to the fact that both the second and third ionization potentials of iron are larger than the one for water, the ground state products asymptotically correlate with dissociation channels that are repulsive in nature at large separations as they contain at least one H2O+ fragment and a positive metal center. The most stable equilibrium structures emanate – via intersections and/or avoided crossings – from the channels consisting of the lowest electronic states of Fe2+(5D; 3d6) or Fe3+(6S; 3d5) and six neutral water molecules. Upon hydration, the ground state of Fe2+(H2O)6 is a triply (5Tg) degenerate one with the doubly (5Eg) degenerate state lying slightly higher in energy. Similarly, Fe3+(H2O)6 has a ground state of 6Ag symmetry under Th symmetry. We furthermore examine a multitude of electronically excited states of many possible spin multiplicities, and report the optimized geometries for several selected states. The PECs for those cases are characterized by a high density of states. Focusing on the ground and the first few excited states of the [Fe(H2O)6]2+ and [Fe(H2O)6]3+ clusters, we studied their mutual interaction in the gas phase. We obtained the optimal geometries of the Fe2+(H2O)6 – Fe3+(H2O)6 gas phase complex for different Fe–Fe distances. For distances shorter than 6.0 Å, the water molecules in the respective first solvation shells located between the two metal centers were found to interact via weak hydrogen bonds. We examined a total of ten electronic states for this complex, including those corresponding to the electron transfer (ET) from the ferrous to the ferric ion. The ET process is discussed and a possible path via a quasi-symmetric transition state is suggested. This work was supported by the US Department of Energy, Office of Science, Office of Basic Energy Sciences, Division of Chemical Sciences, Geosciences and Biosciences. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is a multiprogram national laboratory operated for DOE by Battelle. This research used resources of the National Energy Research Scientific Computing Center, which is supported by the Office of Science of the U.S. Department of Energy under Contract No. DE-AC02-05CH11231.

Miliordos, Evangelos↗
DOE OSTI2014

Electronic structures of GeSi nanoislands grown on pit-patterned Si(001) substrate

Patterning pit on Si(001) substrate prior to Ge deposition is an important approach to achieve GeSi nanoislands with high ordering and size uniformity. In present work, the electronic structures of realistic uncapped pyramid, dome, barn and cupola nanoislands grown in (105) pits are systematically investigated by solving Schrödinger equation for heavy-hole, which resorts to inhomogeneous strain distribution and nonlinear composition-dependent band parameters. Uniform, partitioned and equilibrium composition profile (CP) in nanoisland and inverted pyramid structure are simulated separately. We demonstrate the huge impact of composition profile on localization of heavy-hole: wave function of ground state is confined near pit facets for uniform CP, at bottom of nanoisland for partitioned CP and at top of nanoisland for equilibrium CP. Moreover, such localization is gradually compromised by the size effect as pit filling ratio or pit size decreases. The results pave the fundamental guideline of designing nanoislands on pit-patterned substrates for desired applications.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2023

Synthesis, crystal and electronic structure of the Zintl phase Ba 16 Sb 11 . A case study uncovering greater structural complexity via monoclinic distortion of the tetragonal Ca 16 Sb 11 structure type

The binary Zintl phase Ba 16 Sb 11 has been synthesized and structurally characterized. Detailed studies via single-crystal X-ray diffraction methods indicate that although Ba 16 Sb 11 appears to crystallize in the tetragonal Ca 16 Sb 11 structure type (space group $P\bar{4}2_1$m with a=13.5647(9) Å, c=12.4124(12)Å, Z=2, R 1 = 3.14%; wR 2 = 4.77%), there exists an extensive structural disorder. Some Ba 16 Sb 11 crystals were found to be monoclinic and the structure was solved and refined in space group P2 1 (a=18.3929(12) Å, b=13.5233(8) Å, c=18.3978(12) Å, β=94.6600(10)°; Z=4, R 1 =5.84 %; wR 2 =9.58 %). The latter corresponds to a 2-fold superstructure of the tetragonal one, which provides a disorder-free structural model. In both descriptions, the disordered tetragonal and the ordered monoclinic superstructure, the basic building units that make up the structure of this Ba-rich compound are pairs of face-shared square antiprisms of Ba atoms, which are centered by Sb atoms. The dimerized antiprisms are linked into parallel chains via square prisms of Ba atoms, which are also centered by Sb atoms. The Zintl concept can be applied in a straightforward manner and as result, the structure of Ba 32 Sb 22 (=2×Ba 16 Sb 11 ) can be rationalized as (Ba 2+ ) 32 (Sb 3– ) 20 [Sb 2 ] 4– . Notably, the partitioning of the valence electrons is done taking into an account the homoatomic Sb–Sb contacts (d=3.01 Å), which can be clearly distinguished in the lower symmetry space group. Electronic structure calculations of Ba 16 Sb 11 are in good accordance with the Zintl rationalization and predict a semiconductor with a band gap of 0.77 eV.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2016

2D {sup 31}P solid state NMR spectroscopy, electronic structure and thermochemistry of PbP{sub 7}

Phase pure polycrystalline PbP{sub 7} was prepared from the elements via a lead flux. Crystalline pieces with edge-lengths up to 1 mm were obtained. The assignment of the previously published {sup 31}P solid state NMR spectrum to the seven distinct crystallographic sites was accomplished by radio-frequency driven dipolar recoupling (RFDR) experiments. As commonly found in other solid polyphosphides there is no obvious correlation between the {sup 31}P chemical shift and structural parameters. PbP{sub 7} decomposes incongruently under release of phosphorus forming liquid lead as remainder. The thermal decomposition starts at T>550 K with a vapor pressure almost similar to that of red phosphorus. Electronic structure calculations reveal PbP{sub 7} as a semiconductor according to the Zintl description and clearly shows the stereo-active Pb-6s{sup 2} lone pairs in the electron localization function ELF. - Graphical abstract: Coordination of the lead atoms in PbP{sub 7}.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2025

Probing the electronic structure and dipole-bound state of the 7-azaindolide anion

We report an investigation of the electronic structure and dipole-bound state (DBS) of the cryogenically-cooled 7-azaindolide anion (7-AI − ) using high-resolution photoelectron imaging, photodetachment spectroscopy, and resonant photoelectron spectroscopy. The electron affinity of the 7-AI radical is measured to be 2.6967(8) eV (21 751 ± 6 cm −1 ). Two excited electronic states of the neutral radical are observed at 0.8 eV and 1.4 eV above the ground state. Two minor isomers of 7-AI − due to deprotonation from the α- and β-carbon on the pyrrole ring are also detected with lower adiabatic detachment energies. A DBS is observed for the 7-AI − anion at 156 cm −1 below the detachment threshold, along with 16 vibrational Feshbach resonances. Resonant two-photon photoelectron imaging reveals that the DBS is relatively long-lived. Resonant photoelectron spectroscopy via the vibrational Feshbach resonances of the DBS gives rise to rich vibrational features for the 7-AI radical not accessible in conventional photoelectron spectroscopy. Fundamental vibrational frequencies for 16 vibrational modes of the 7-AI neutral radical are measured experimentally, including 7 bending modes. The current work provides extensive experimental electronic and vibrational information for the 7-AI − anion and the 7-AI radical.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2011

Electronic structure of lanthanum copper oxychalcogenides LaCuOCh (Ch=S, Se, Te) by X-ray photoelectron and absorption spectroscopy

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and X-ray absorption near-edge spectroscopy (XANES) have been applied to examine the electronic structures of lanthanum copper oxychalcogenides LaCuOCh (Ch=S, Se, Te), whose structure has been conventionally viewed as consisting of nominally isolated [LaO] and [CuCh] layers. However, there is evidence for weak La-Ch interactions between these layers, as seen in small changes in the satellite intensity of the La 3d XPS spectra as the chalcogen is changed and as supported by band structure calculations. The O 1s and Cu 2p XPS spectra are insensitive to chalcogen substitution. Lineshapes in the Cu 2p XPS spectra and fine-structure in the Cu L- and M-edge XANES spectra support the presence of Cu{sup +} species. The Ch XPS spectra show negative BE shifts relative to the elemental chalcogen, indicative of anionic species; these shifts correlate well with greater difference in electronegativity between the Cu and Ch atoms, provided that an intermediate electronegativity is chosen for Se. - Graphical abstract: The presence of anionic chalcogen atoms in LaCuOCh is supported by the Ch binding energies, which undergo negative shifts proportional to the polarity of the Cu-Ch bonds. Highlights: > La 3d XPS confirms La-Ch interlayer interactions between [LaO] and [CuCh] layers. > O 1s and Cu 2p XPS are insensitive to chalcogen substitution. > Cu XANES spectra support the presence of Cu{sup +} species. > Negative shifts in Ch binding energies imply anionic chalcogen atoms.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2011

Synthesis, crystal and electronic structure, and physical properties of the new lanthanum copper telluride La{sub 3}Cu{sub 5}Te{sub 7}

The new lanthanum copper telluride La{sub 3}Cu{sub 5-x}Te{sub 7} has been obtained by annealing the elements at 1073 K. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies revealed that the title compound crystallizes in a new structure type, space group Pnma (no. 62) with lattice dimensions of a=8.2326(3) A, b=25.9466(9) A, c=7.3402(3) A, V=1567.9(1) A{sup 3}, Z=4 for La{sub 3}Cu{sub 4.86(4)}Te{sub 7}. The structure of La{sub 3}Cu{sub 5-x}Te{sub 7} is remarkably complex. The Cu and Te atoms build up a three-dimensional covalent network. The coordination polyhedra include trigonal LaTe{sub 6} prisms, capped trigonal LaTe{sub 7} prisms, CuTe{sub 4} tetrahedra, and CuTe{sub 3} pyramids. All Cu sites exhibit deficiencies of various extents. Electrical property measurements on a sintered pellet of La{sub 3}Cu{sub 4.86}Te{sub 7} indicate that it is a p-type semiconductor in accordance with the electronic structure calculations. -- Graphical abstract: Oligomeric unit comprising interconnected CuTe{sub 3} pyramids and CuTe{sub 4} tetrahedra. Display Omitted Research highlights: {yields} La{sub 3}Cu{sub 5-x}Te{sub 7} adopts a new structure type. {yields} All Cu sites exhibit deficiencies of various extents. {yields} The coordination polyhedra include trigonal LaTe{sub 6} prisms, capped trigonal LaTe{sub 7} prisms, CuTe{sub 4} tetrahedra and CuTe{sub 3} pyramids. {yields} La{sub 3}Cu{sub 5-x}Te{sub 7} is a p-type semiconductor.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2016

The electronic structure of As{sub 2}S{sub 3}

The electronic band structure and density of states of crystalline As{sub 2}S{sub 3} are calculated using SIESTA code within generalized-gradient approximation (GGA) of density functional theory (DFT). Energy band gap in As{sub 2}S{sub 3} is found to be indirect with a value 1.925 eV. Density of states and partial density of states are in agreement with available experimental data.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2018

Spatial–temporal spectroscopy characterizations and electronic structure of methylammonium perovskites

Using time-resolved laser-scanning confocal microscopy and ultrafast optical pump/THz probe spectroscopy, we measure photoluminescence (PL) and THz-conductivity in perovskite micro-crystals and films. PL quenching and lifetime variations occur from local heterogeneity. Ultrafast THz-spectra measure sharp quantum transitions from excitonic Rydberg states, providing weakly bound excitons with a binding energy of ~13.5 meV at low temperatures. Ab-initio electronic structure calculations give a direct band gap of 1.64 eV, a dielectric constant of ~18, heavy electrons, and light holes, resulting in weakly bound excitons, consistent with the binding energies from the experiment. Here, the complementary spectroscopy and simulations reveal fundamental insights into perovskite light-matter interactions.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2015

Exchange repulsive potential adaptable for electronic structure changes during chemical reactions

Hybrid methods combining quantum mechanical (QM) and classical calculations are becoming important tools in chemistry. The popular approach to calculate the interaction between QM and classical calculations employs interatomic potentials. In most cases, the interatomic potential is constructed of an electrostatic (ES) potential and a non-ES potential. Because QM treatment is employed in the calculation of the ES potential, the electronic change can be considered in this ES potential. However, QM treatment of the non-ES potential is difficult because of high computational cost. To overcome this difficulty of evaluating the non-ES potential, we proposed an exchange repulsive potential as the main part of the non-ES potential on the basis of a QM approach. This potential is independent of empirical parameters and adaptable for electronic structure. We combined this potential with the reference interaction site model self-consistent field explicitly including spatial electron density distribution and successfully applied it to the chemical reactions in aqueous phase.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2014

Synthesis, transport properties, and electronic structure of Cu{sub 2}CdSnTe{sub 4}

A new stannite phase was synthesized and its temperature dependent transport properties were investigated. Cu{sub 2}CdSnTe{sub 4} possesses strong p-type conduction, while the temperature dependence of the thermal conductivity exhibits typical dielectric behavior. Electronic structure calculations allowed for a description of the transport characteristics in terms the energy band structure, density of states, and Fermi surface. The potential for thermoelectric applications is also discussed.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2011

High-pressure Evolution of Fe2O3 Electronic Structure Revealed by X-ray Absorption

We report the high-pressure measurement of the Fe K edge in hematite (Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3}) by x-ray absorption spectroscopy in partial fluorescence yield geometry. The pressure-induced evolution of the electronic structure as Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} transforms from a high-spin insulator to a low-spin metal is reflected in the x-ray absorption pre-edge. The crystal-field splitting energy was found to increase monotonically with pressure up to 48 GPa, above which a series of phase transitions occur. Atomic multiplet, cluster diagonalization, and density-functional calculations were performed to simulate the pre-edge absorption spectra, showing good qualitative agreement with the measurements. The mechanism for the pressure-induced electronic phase transitions of Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} is discussed and it is shown that ligand hybridization significantly reduces the critical high-spin/low-spin transition pressure.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2018

The Correlation between Characteristics of Macrolocalized Plastic Deformation and Parameters of the Electronic Structure of Metals

The correlation between lattice characteristics of a deformed medium and parameters of autowaves of a localized plastic flow in metals at the stage of linear strain hardening is considered. Such correlation testifies for the existence of a close connection between elastic and plastic deformations of the medium and, more generally, between characteristics of plasticity and electronic structure of elements.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2024

Influence of temperature, doping, and amorphization on the electronic structure and magnetic damping of iron

Hybrid magnonic quantum systems have drawn increased attention in recent years for coherent quantum information processing, but too large magnetic damping is a persistent concern when metallic magnets are used. Their intrinsic damping is largely determined by electron-magnon scattering induced by spin-orbit interactions. In the low scattering limit, damping is dominated by intra-band electronic transitions, which has been theoretically shown to be proportional to the electronic density of states at the Fermi level. In this work, we focus on body-centered-cubic iron as a paradigmatic ferromagnetic material. We comprehensively study its electronic structure using first-principles density functional theory simulations and account for finite lattice temperature, boron (B) doping, and structure amorphization. Our results indicate that temperature induced atomic disorder and amorphous atomic geometries only have a minor influence. Instead, boron doping noticeably decreases the density of states near the Fermi level with an optimal doping level of 6.25%. In addition, we show that this reduction varies significantly for different atomic geometries and report that the highest reduction correlates with a large magnetization of the material. Furthermore, this may suggest materials growth under external magnetic fields as a route to explore in experiment.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2026

SHarmonic: A fast and accurate implementation of spherical harmonics for electronic-structure calculations

The authors present SHarmonic, a new implementation of the spherical harmonics targeted for electronic-structure calculations. Their approach is to use explicit formulas for the harmonics written in terms of normalized Cartesian coordinates. This approach results in a code that is as precise as other implementations while being at least one order of magnitude more computationally efficient. The library can run on graphics processing units as well, achieving an additional order of magnitude in execution speed. This new implementation is simple to use and is provided under an open-source license; it can be readily used by other codes to avoid the error-prone and cumbersome implementation of the spherical harmonics.

Mathematics and Computing↗
DOE OSTI2020

Electronic structures of a diagonally striped lattice: Multiple ( N - 1 ) -fold degenerate flat bands

We investigate the electronic structure of an interesting two-dimensional (2D) diagonally striped lattice (DSL). It consists of arrays of N different types of “atoms” or “molecules” with a fixed sequence in both horizontal and vertical directions. Using a tight-binding model, we show that the DSL (N>2) has the symmetry group Amm2 and Pmm2, and exhibits an oscillatory metallic and insulating phases for the odd- and even- N number, respectively. Some conventional 2D lattices, such as the Lieb lattice, can be related to the derivative DSL via vacancy formation by removing one type of atom in every other (N-1) row of the original DSL. Interestingly, there are multiple (N-1)-fold degenerate flat bands in one group of the derivative DSLs, which affords a unique platform for studying many-body physics. In addition to atomic and molecular lattices, we suggest other artificial DSLs, such as photonic and phononic, to be also constructed with possibly interesting properties.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗