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Influence of Ga doping on magnetic properties, magnetocaloric effect, and electronic structure of pseudobinary GdZn 1 - x Ga x ( x = 0 - 0.1 )

Here, we explore the impact of introducing IIIA-group element Ga in place of IIB-group element Zn in binary intermetallic GdZn on its magnetic and magnetocaloric properties, as well as explicate the modified electronic band structure of the compound. The magnetic transition temperature of the compound decreases with the increase of Ga concentration in GdZn 1-x ⁢Ga x ⁢(x = 0–0.1) while the crystal structure (CsCl prototype) and lattice parameters remain unchanged. Our detailed analysis of magnetization and magnetocaloric data conclusively proves that long-ranged magnetic ordering exists in the sample, despite the magnetic interaction considerably weakening with the increase of Ga. The experimental data are rationalized using both a theoretical machine-learning model and first-principle density functional theory. The electronic band structure of GdZn is manifested with some unusual complex features which gradually diminish with Ga doping and the conventional sinusoidal feature of Ruderman-Kittel-Kasuya-Yosida-type interactions also disappears. A mean-field theory model is developed and can successfully describe the overall magnetocaloric behavior of the GdZn 1-x⁢ Ga x series of samples.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Assessing MP2 frozen natural orbitals in relativistic correlated electronic structure calculations

The high computational scaling with the basis set size and the number of correlated electrons is a bottleneck limiting applications of coupled cluster algorithms, in particular for calculations based on two- or four-component relativistic Hamiltonians, which often employ uncontracted basis sets. This problem may be alleviated by replacing canonical Hartree–Fock virtual orbitals by natural orbitals (NOs). Here, in this paper, we describe the implementation of a module for generating NOs for correlated wavefunctions and, in particular, second order Møller–Plesset perturbation frozen natural orbitals (MP2FNOs) as a component of our novel implementation of relativistic coupled cluster theory for massively parallel architectures [Pototschnig et al. J. Chem. Theory Comput. 17, 5509, (2021)]. Our implementation can manipulate complex or quaternion density matrices, thus allowing for the generation of both Kramers-restricted and Kramers-unrestricted MP2FNOs. Furthermore, NOs are re-expressed in the parent atomic orbital (AO) basis, allowing for generating coupled cluster singles and doubles NOs in the AO basis for further analysis. By investigating the truncation errors of MP2FNOs for both the correlation energy and molecular properties—electric field gradients at the nuclei, electric dipole and quadrupole moments for hydrogen halides HX (X = F–Ts), and parity-violating energy differences for H 2 Z 2 (Z = O–Se)—we find MP2FNOs accelerate the convergence of the correlation energy in a roughly uniform manner across the Periodic Table. It is possible to obtain reliable estimates for both energies and the molecular properties considered with virtual molecular orbital spaces truncated to about half the size of the full spaces.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

GPU acceleration of all-electron electronic structure theory using localized numeric atom-centered basis functions

We present an implementation of all-electron density-functional theory for massively parallel GPU-based platforms, using localized atom-centered basis functions and real-space integration grids. Special attention is paid to domain decomposition of the problem on non-uniform grids, which enables compute- and memory-parallel execution across thousands of nodes for real-space operations, e.g. the update of the electron density, the integration of the real-space Hamiltonian matrix, and calculation of Pulay forces. To assess the performance of our GPU implementation, we performed benchmarks on three different architectures using a 103-material test set. We find that operations which rely on dense serial linear algebra show dramatic speedups from GPU acceleration: in particular, SCF iterations including force and stress calculations exhibit speedups ranging from 4.5 to 6.6. For the architectures and problem types investigated here, this translates to an expected overall speedup between 3–4 for the entire calculation (including non-GPU accelerated parts), for problems featuring several tens to hundreds of atoms. Additional calculations for a 375-atom Bi2Se3 bilayer show that the present GPU strategy scales for large-scale distributed-parallel simulations.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Energy resolved electrochemical impedance spectroscopy for electronic structure mapping in organic semiconductors

We introduce an energy resolved electrochemical impedance spectroscopy method to map the electronic density of states (DOS) in organic semiconductor materials. The method consists in measurement of the charge transfer resistance of a semiconductor/electrolyte interface at a frequency where the redox reactions determine the real component of the impedance. The charge transfer resistance value provides direct information about the electronic DOS at the energy given by the electrochemical potential of the electrolyte, which can be adjusted using an external voltage. A simple theory for experimental data evaluation is proposed, along with an explanation of the corresponding experimental conditions. The method allows mapping over unprecedentedly wide energy and DOS ranges. Also, important DOS parameters can be determined directly from the raw experimental data without the lengthy analysis required in other techniques. The potential of the proposed method is illustrated by tracing weak bond defect states induced by ultraviolet treatment above the highest occupied molecular orbital in a prototypical σ-conjugated polymer, poly[methyl(phenyl)silylene]. The results agree well with those of our previous DOS reconstruction by post-transient space-charge-limited-current spectroscopy, which was, however, limited to a narrow energy range. In addition, good agreement of the DOS values measured on two common π-conjugated organic polymer semiconductors, polyphenylene vinylene and poly(3-hexylthiophene), with the rather rare previously published data demonstrate the accuracy of the proposed method.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Surface reconstructions and electronic structure of metallic delafossite thin films

The growing interest in the growth and study of thin films of low-dimensional metallic delafossites, with the general formula ABO2, is driven by their potential to exhibit electronic and magnetic characteristics that are not accessible in bulk systems. The layered structure of these compounds introduces unique surface states as well as electronic and structural reconstructions, making the investigation of their surface behavior pivotal to understanding their intrinsic electronic structure. In this work, we study the surface phenomena of epitaxially grown PtCoO2, PdCoO2, and PdCrO2 films, utilizing a combination of molecular-beam epitaxy and angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy. Through precise control of surface termination and treatment, we discover a pronounced 3×3 surface reconstruction in PtCoO2 films and PdCoO2 films, alongside a 2 × 2 surface reconstruction observed in PdCrO2 films. These reconstructions have not been reported in prior studies of delafossites. Furthermore, our computational investigations demonstrate the BO2 surface’s relative stability compared to the A-terminated surface and the significant reduction in surface energy facilitated by the reconstruction of the A-terminated surface. These experimental and theoretical insights illuminate the complex surface dynamics in metallic delafossites, paving the way for future explorations of their distinctive properties in low-dimensional studies.

Materials Science↗

Investigation of magnetic properties and electronic structure of layered-structure borides AlT{sub 2}B{sub 2} (T=Fe, Mn, Cr) and AlFe{sub 2–x}Mn{sub x}B{sub 2}

The ternary phases AlT{sub 2}B{sub 2} (T=Fe, Mn, Cr) and quaternary phases AlFe{sub 2–x}Mn{sub x}B{sub 2} have been synthesized by arc-melting and characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, magnetic measurements, Mössbauer spectroscopy, and electronic band structure calculations. All the compounds adopt the AlFe{sub 2}B{sub 2}-type structure, in which infinite zigzag chains of B atoms are connected by Fe atoms into [Fe{sub 2}B{sub 2}] slabs that alternate with layers of Al atoms along the b axis. The magnetic measurements reveal that AlFe{sub 2}B{sub 2} is a ferromagnet with T{sub C}=282 K while AlMn{sub 2}B{sub 2} and AlCr{sub 2}B{sub 2} do not show magnetic ordering in the studied temperature range of 1.8–400 K. A systematic investigation of solid solutions AlFe{sub 2−x}Mn{sub x}B{sub 2} showed a non-linear change in the structural and magnetic behavior. The ferromagnetic ordering temperature is gradually decreased as the Mn content (x) increases. The Mössbauer spectra reveal the presence of non-magnetic (NM) and ferromagnetic (FM) spectral components in all Mn-containing samples, with the amount of NM fraction increasing as the Mn content increases. While for the AlFe{sub 2−x}Mn{sub x}B{sub 2} samples with x=0.0 and 0.4 the hyperfine splitting of the FM spectral component collapses at temperatures close to the Curie temperatures determined from the magnetic measurements, for the x=1.2 and 1.6 samples the FM fraction exhibits a sizable unquenched hyperfine splitting at room temperature, a finding that is inconsistent with the observed magnetic properties. Along with the increase in the amount of the NM fraction, this observation suggests formation of Fe-rich and Mn-rich regions in the structure of the solid solutions. Quantum-chemical calculations and crystal orbital Hamilton population analysis provide a clear explanation of the distinction in properties for this series of compounds and also reveal the importance of electronic factors in modifying the magnetic properties of these materials. - Graphical abstract: We follow a gradual evolution of magnetic properties in a series of ternary borides AlT{sub 2}B{sub 2}, from non-magnetic AlCr{sub 2}B{sub 2} and AlMn{sub 2}B{sub 2} to ferromagnetic AlFe{sub 2}B{sub 2}. - Highlights: • AlT{sub 2}B{sub 2} (T=Fe, Mn, Cr) and AlFe{sub 2−x}Mn{sub x}B{sub 2} were prepared by arc‐melting. • Bulk ferromagnetism of AlFe{sub 2}B{sub 2} is gradually suppressed by the introduction of Mn. • AlMn{sub 2}B{sub 2} and AlCr{sub 2}B{sub 2} do not exhibit magnetic ordering. • Nonmagnetic (Mn‐rich) and ferromagnetic (Fe‐rich) clustering in AlFe{sub 2–x}Mn{sub x}B{sub 2}. • Ferromagnetism is suppressed due to weakening of antibonding T–T interactions.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Structure and Bonding Investigation of Plutonium Peroxocarbonate Complexes Using Cerium Surrogates and Electronic Structure Modeling

Herein, we report the synthesis and structural characterization of K8[(CO3)3Pu]2(µ-η2-η2-O2)2•12H2O. This is the second plutonium-containing addition to the previously studied alkali metal peroxo-carbonate series M8[(CO3)3A]2(µ-η2-η2-O2)2•xH2O (M = alkali metal; A = Ce or Pu; x = 8, 10, 12 or 18), for which only the M = Na analog has been previously reported when A = Pu. The previously reported crystal structure for Na8[(CO3)3Pu]2(µ-η2-η2-O2)2•12H2O is not isomorphous with its known Ce analogue. However, a new synthetic route to these M8[(CO3)3A]2(µ-η2-η2-O2)2•12H2O complexes, described below, has produced crystals of Na8[(CO3)3Ce]2(µ-η2-η2-O2)2•12H2O that are isomorphous with the previously reported Pu analogue. Via this synthetic method, the M = Na, K, Rb, and Cs salts of M8[(CO3)3Ce]2(µ-η2-η2-O2)2•xH2O have also been synthesized for systematic structural comparison with each other and the available Pu analogues using single-crystal X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The cerium salts in particular demonstrate subtle differences in the peroxide bond lengths which correlate to Raman shifts for the peroxide Op–Op stretch (Op = the oxygen atoms of the peroxide bridges) with each of the cations studied: Na+ (1.492(3) Å /847 cm-1), Rb+ (1.471(1) Å /854 cm-1), Cs+ (1.474(1) Å /859 cm-1), and K+ (1.468(6) Å, 870 cm-1). The trends observed in the M–Op and Op–Op bond distances appear to relate to supermolecular interactions between the neighboring cations.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Structural, Electronic, and Thermal Properties of CdSnAs 2

Structural, electrical, and thermal properties of CdSnAs 2 , with analyses from temperature-dependent transport properties over a large temperature range, are reported. Phase-pure microcrystalline powders were synthesized that were subsequently densified to a high-density homogeneous polycrystalline specimen for this study. Temperature-dependent transport indicates n-type semiconducting behavior with a very high and nearly temperature independent mobility over the entire measured temperature range, attributed to the very small electron effective mass of this material. The Debye model was successfully applied to model the thermal conductivity and specific heat. Furthermore, this work contributes to the fundamental understanding of this material, providing further insight and allowing for investigations into altering this and related physical properties of these materials for technological applications.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Electronic structures and ferromagnetism of SnO{sub 2} (rutile) doped with double-impurities: First-principles calculations

The electronic and magnetic properties of double-impurities-doped SnO{sub 2} (rutile) are explored using first-principles calculations within the generalized gradient approximation to examine their potential use as spintronic system. Calculations are performed for double impurities (M1 and M2) from M1 = Cr, and M2 = Mn, and Re. The origins of ferromagnetism are shown to be different in the two cases. For Sn{sub 1-2x}Cr{sub x}Mn{sub x}O2, the hybridization between Cr-3d and O-2p results in Cr becoming ferromagnetic with a magnetic moment of about 5.0 μ{sub B} per supercell. The Cr-and Mn-doped SnO{sub 2} system exhibits half-metallic ferromagnetism. The strong ferromagnetic couplings between local magnetic moments can be attributed to p-d hybridization. In contrast, in (Cr, Re) codoped TiO{sub 2}, the local magnetic moments of the impurities and their oxidation states agree with the charge transfer between Cr and Re, which would lead to the ferromagnetic through the double-exchange mechanism in transition metal oxides. Since there are two possible couplings between the impurities, we studied both configurations (ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic (AF)) for double-impurities-doped SnO{sub 2}. Our calculations show that a ferromagnetic alignment of the spins is energetically always more stable than simple AF arrangements, which makes these materials possible candidates for spin injection in spintronic devices.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

First principles investigations on the electronic structure of anchor groups on ZnO nanowires and surfaces

We report on density functional theory investigations of the electronic properties of monofunctional ligands adsorbed on ZnO-(1010) surfaces and ZnO nanowires using semi-local and hybrid exchange-correlation functionals. We consider three anchor groups, namely thiol, amino, and carboxyl groups. Our results indicate that neither the carboxyl nor the amino group modify the transport and conductivity properties of ZnO. In contrast, the modification of the ZnO surface and nanostructure with thiol leads to insertion of molecular states in the band gap, thus suggesting that functionalization with this moiety may customize the optical properties of ZnO nanomaterials.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗

Electronic structure of magnetic semiconductor CdCr{sub 2}Te{sub 4}: A possible spin-dependent symmetry filter

We present a theoretical investigation of the electronic and magnetic structure of spinel CdCr{sub 2}Te{sub 4} using density functional theory, its extensions via onsite Hubbard U interactions, and a screened-hybrid-functional exchange potential. We find that the ground state is semiconducting within the latter approach, and within this magnetic-semiconducting system, we compute the complex band structure, finding a slowly decaying evanescent Δ{sup ~}{sub 1} state possibly suitable for realizing a spin-dependent symmetry filter effect.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Electronic structure and UV spectrum of hexachloroplatinate dianions in vacuo

We present a joint experimental and theoretical study of the electronic spectrum of hexachloroplatinate dianion. We have measured electronic photodissociation and photodetachment spectra of mass-selected PtCl{sub 6}{sup 2−} ions in vacuo and compare these with calculated band positions from time-dependent density functional theory and from relativistic calculations. Excitation of an electronic transition of the dianion leads to resonant enhancement of the photodetachment cross section superimposed on direct detachment. Photoexcitation results in loss of Cl{sup −} and Cl{sup 0}, depending on photon energy. The photofragmentation spectrum for formation of the PtCl{sub 4}{sup −} fragment ion mirrors the UV/vis absorption spectrum of PtCl{sub 6}{sup 2−} in solution with a small solvatochromic shift.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Electronic structure computation and differential capacitance profile in δ-doped FET as a function of hydrostatic pressure

In this work we present the results obtained from the calculation of the level structure of a n-type delta-doped well Field Effect Transistor when is subjected to hydrostatic pressure. We study the energy level structure as a function of hydrostatic pressure within the range of 0 to 6 kbar for different Schottky barrier height (SBH). We use an analytical expression for the effect of hydrostatic pressure on the SBH and the pressure dependence of the basic parameters of the system as the effective mass m(P) and the dielectric constant ε(P) of GaAs. We found that due to the effects of hydrostatic pressure, in addition to electronic level structure alteration, the profile of the differential capacitance per unit area C{sup −2} is affected.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Electronic Structure and Related Band Parameters of Hexagonal Wurtzite Zn{sub 1−x}Mn{sub x}O Magnetic Semiconducting Alloys

The electronic band structure and related band parameters such as, lattice parameters, energy band gaps, density of states and magnetic moment of Zn{sub 1−x}Mn{sub x}O ternary system in the hypothetical hexagonal wurtzite structure have been investigated. The calculations are performed using a full-potential linearized augmented plane wave method based on density functional theory in the generalized gradient approximation of Perdew-Burke-Ernzerhof. The evolution of the features of interest with increasing the Mn doping concentration from 0 to 1 in the ZnO structure has been examined and discussed. Our findings show that the behaviour of all studied band parameters with respect to the alloy composition x is consistent with those reported experimentally in the literature. The present study may be useful for spintronics applications.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Strain-modulated anisotropic electronic structure in superconducting RuO 2 films

The binary ruthenate, RuO 2 , has been the subject of intense interest due to its itinerant antiferromagnetism and strain-induced superconductivity. The strain mechanism and its effect on the microscopic electronic states leading to the normal and superconducting state, however, remain undisclosed. Here, we investigate highly strained epitaxial (110) RuO 2 films using polarization-dependent oxygen K-edge x-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS). Through the detection of pre-edge peaks arising from O:2p - Ru:4d hybridization, we uncover the effects of epitaxial strain on the orbital/electronic structure near the Fermi level. Our data show robust strain-induced shifts of orbital levels and a reduction of hybridization strength. Furthermore, we reveal a pronounced in-plane anisotropy of the electronic structure along the [110] / [1$\bar{1}$0] directions naturally stemming from the symmetry-breaking epitaxial strain of the substrate. The B 2g symmetry component of the epitaxially enforced strain breaks a sublattice degeneracy, resulting in an increase of the density of states at the Fermi level (E F ), possibly paving the way to superconductivity. Finally, these results underscore the importance of the effective reduction from tetragonal to orthorhombic lattice symmetry in (110) RuO 2 films and its relevance towards the superconducting and magnetic properties.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Electronic structures and formation energies of pentavalent-ion-doped SnO{sub 2}: First-principles hybrid functional calculations

We studied the electronic properties and relative thermodynamic stability of several pentavalent-ion (Ta, Nb, P, Sb, and I) doped SnO{sub 2} systems using first-principles hybrid density functional theory calculations, in order to evaluate their potential as transparent conducting oxides (TCOs). I-doped SnO{sub 2}, though conductive, shows a narrowed optical band gap with respect to the undoped system due to the formation of gap states above the valence band. Nb-doped SnO{sub 2} forms localized impurity states below the conduction band bottom, suggesting that the Nb dopant exists as an Nb{sup 4+}-like cation, which is consistent with the recent experimental finding of the formation of the impurity level below the conduction band bottom [Appl. Phys. Express 5, 061201 (2012)]. Ta- and Sb-doped SnO{sub 2} display n-type conductivity, high charge carrier density, and widened optical band gap. P-doped SnO{sub 2} shows similar n-type electronic properties with that of Sb- and Ta-doped systems, and thus P-doped SnO{sub 2} is proposed as a promising candidate TCO for further experimental validation.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗