Searcharxiv⌕ Search

arXiv subjects

D. J. Singh

Publications and source records attributed to D. J. Singh.

138 records · Page 8Linked to original sources

Theoretical Atomic Volumes of fcc Thorium and Plutonium

The zero-presssure zero-temperature equilibrium volume and bulk modulus are calculated for fcc Th and Pu by two independent all-electron, full-potential, electronic-structure methods: the full-potential linear augmented-plane-wave (FLAPW) method and the linear combinations of Gaussian type orbitals-fitting function (LCGTO-FF) method. The results produced by these two distinctly different electronic-structure techniques are in excellent agreement with each other, but differ significantly from a previous calculation using the full-potential linear muffin-tin-orbital (FP-LMTO) method. The theoretically calculated equilibrium volumes are nearly 10% larger than the previous FP-LMTO calculations. While the new theoretical volume for Th is in good agreement with experiment when the generalized gradient approximation is used, the calculated equilibrium volume for fcc Pu remains substantially smaller than experiment in qualitative agreement with previous calculations.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

Competitions in layered ruthenates: ferro- vs. antiferromagnetism and triplet vs. singlet pairing

Ru based perovskites demonstrate an amazing richness in their magnetic properties, including 3D and quasi-2D ferromagnetism, antiferromagnetism, and unconventional superconductivity. Tendency to ferromagnetism, stemming from the unusually large involvement of O in magnetism in ruthenates, leads to ferromagnetic spin fluctuations in Sr2RuO4 and eventually to p-wave superconductivity. A related compound Ca2RuO4 was measured to be antiferromagnetic, suggesting a possibility of antiferromagnetic fluctuations in Sr2RuO4 as well. Here we report first principles calculations that demonstrate that in both compounds the ferro- and antiferromagnetic fluctuations coexist, leading to an actual instability in Ca2RuO4 and to a close competition between p-wave and d-wave superconducting symmetries in Sr2RuO4. The antiferromagnetism in this system appears to be mostly related with the nesting, which is the strongest at Q=(2pi/3,2pi/3,0). Surprisingly, for the Fermiology of Sr2RuO4 the p-wave state wins over the d-wave one everywhere except in close vicinity of the antiferromagnetic instability. The most stable state within the d-wave channel has vanishing order parameter at one out of three Fermi surfaces in Sr2RuO4, while in the p channel its amplitude is comparable at all three of them.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

Analysis of the valence band photoemission spectrum of Sr$_2$CuO$_2$Cl$_2$ along the high-symmetry directions

Band structure calculations have been used to identify the different bands contributing to the polarisation-dependent photoemission spectra of the undoped model cuprate Sr$_2$CuO$_2$Cl$_2$ at the high-symmetry points of the CuO$_2$ plane $Γ$, $(π/a,0)$ and $(π/a,π/a)$ and along the high-symmetry directions $Γ- (π/a,π/a)$ and $Γ- (π/a,0)$. Results from calculations within the local density approximation (LDA) have been compared with calculations taking into account the strong electron correlations by LDA+U, with the result that the experimental order of energy levels at the high-symmetry points is better described by the LDA+U calculation than by the simple LDA. All the main peaks in the photoemission spectra at the high symmetry points could be assigned to different Cu 3$d$ and O 2$p$ orbitals which we have classified according to their point symmetries. The dispersions along the high-symmetry directions were compared with an 11-band tight-binding model which was fitted both to the LDA+U band structure calculation and the angle-resolved photoemission data. The mean field treatment successfully describes the oxygen derived bands but shows discrepancies for the copper ones.

cond-mat↗

Theoretical search for Chevrel phase based thermoelectric materials

We investigate the thermoelectric properties of some semiconducting Chevrel phases. Band structure calculations are used to compute thermopowers and to estimate of the effects of alloying and disorder on carrier mobility. Alloying on the Mo site with transition metals like Re, Ru or Tc to reach a semiconducting composition causes large changes in the electronic structure at the Fermi level. Such alloys are expected to have low carrier mobilities. Filling with transition metals was also found to be incompatible with high thermoelectric performance based on the calculated electronic structures. Filling with Zn, Cu, and especially with Li was found to be favorable. The calculated electronic structures of these filled Chevrel phases are consistent with low scattering of carriers by defects associated with the filling. We expect good mobility and high thermopower in materials with the composition close to (Li,Cu)$_4$Mo$_6$Se$_8$, particularly when Li-rich, and recommend this system for experimental investigation.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

Transport, optical and electronic properties of the half metal CrO2

The electronic structure of CrO_2 is critically discussed in terms of the relation of existing experimental data and well converged LSDA and GGA calculations of the electronic structure and transport properties of this half metal magnet, with a particular emphasis on optical properties. We find only moderate manifestations of many body effects. Renormalization of the density of states is not large and is in the typical for transition metals range. We find substantial deviations from Drude behavior in the far-infrared optical conductivity. These appear because of the unusually low energy of interband optical transitions. The calculated mass renormalization is found to be rather sensitive to the exchange-correlation functional used and varies from 10% (LSDA) to 90% (GGA), using the latest specific heat data. We also find that dressing of the electrons by spin fluctuations, because of their high energy, renormalizes the interband optical transition at as high as 4 eV by about 20%. Although we find no clear indications of strong correlations of the Hubbard type, strong electron-magnon scattering related to the half metallic band structure is present and this leads to a nontrivial temperature dependence of the resistivity and some renormalization of the electron spectra.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

Weighted Density Functionals for Ferroelectric Materials

The weighted density approximation, its implementation and its application to ferroelectric materials is discussed. Calculations are presented for several perovskite oxides and related materials. In general the weighted density approximation is found to be superior to either the local density or generalized gradient approximation for the ground state. Electronic structures are little changed. The linear response of the weighted density approximation is calculated for the homogeneous electron gas, and found to be improved relative to the local density result, but not in full agreement with existing Monte Carlo data. It is shown that the agreement can be further improved by a simple modification. Calculations of the ferroelectric soft mode in KNbO$_3$ suggest that the low temperature distortion is approximately 20% smaller than indicated by existing experiments.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

Electronic Structure, Local Moments and Transport in Fe_2VAl

Local spin density approximation calculations are used to elucidate electronic and magnetic properties of Heusler structure Fe_2VAl. The compound is found to be a low carrier density semimetal. The Fermi surface has small hole pockets derived from a triply degenerate Fe derived state at Gamma compensated by an V derived electron pocket at the X point. The ideal compound is found to be stable against ferromagnetism. Fe impurities on V sites, however, behave as local moments. Because of the separation of the hole and electron pockets the RKKY interaction between such local moments should be rapidly oscillating on the scale of its decay, leading to the likelihood of spin-glass behavior for moderate concentrations of Fe on V sites. These features are discussed in relation to experimental observations of an unusual insulating state in this compound.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

First Principles Study of Zn-Sb Thermoelectrics

We report first principles LDA calculations of the electronic structure and thermoelectric properties of $β$-Zn$_{4}$Sb$_{3}$. The material is found to be a low carrier density metal with a complex Fermi surface topology and non-trivial dependence of Hall concentration on band filling. The band structure is rather covalent, consistent with experimental observations of good carrier mobility. Calculations of the variation with band filling are used to extract the doping level (band filling) from the experimental Hall number. At this band filling, which actually corresponds to 0.1 electrons per 22 atom unit cell, the calculated thermopower and its temperature dependence are in good agreement with experiment. The high Seebeck coefficient in a metallic material is remarkable, and arises in part from the strong energy dependence of the Fermiology near the experimental band filling. Improved thermoelectric performance is predicted for lower doping levels which corresponds to higher Zn concentrations.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

Nonlocal density functionals and the linear response of the homogeneous electron gas

The known and usable truly nonlocal functionals for exchange-correlation energy of the inhomogeneous electron gas are the ADA (average density approximation) and the WDA (weighted density approximation). ADA, by design, yields the correct linear response function of the uniform electron gas. WDA is constructed so that it is exact in the limit of one-electron systems. We derive an expression for the linear response of the uniform gas in the WDA, and calculate it for several flavors of WDA. We then compare the results with the Monte-Carlo data on the exchange-correlation local field correction, and identify the weak points of conventional WDA in the homogeneous limit. We suggest how the WDA can be modified to improve the response function. The resulting approximation is a good one in both opposite limits, and should be useful for practical nonlocal density functional calculations.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

Electronic structure and magnetism in Ru based perovskites

The magnetic properties of (Ca,Sr)RuO_3 and Sr_2YRuO_6 are studied within the context of band structure based Stoner theory. LSDA calculations without recourse to strong correlation effects yield the correct magnetic behavior and order in all cases. Insulating character of Sr_2YRuO_6 is reproduced. The different magnetic states of SrRuO_3 and CaRuO_3 are shown to be due to the different structural distortions. CaRuO_3 is found to be on the verge of a ferromagnetic instability. O p states hybridize strongly with Ru d states in all three compounds, and O, through this hybridization plays an unusually large role in the magnetic properties. Transport properties of CaRuO_3 and SrRuO_3 are analyzed using the calculated Fermiology. Unusually large magnon and paramagnon couplings are found, which are consistent with reported measurements of the low temperature specific heat and the resistivity coefficient. We also demonstrate how the calculated band structures can be understood in terms of a nearest neighbor tight binding model.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

Calculated thermoelectric properties of La-filled skutterudites

The thermoelectric properties of La-filled skutterudites are discussed from the point of view of their electronic structures. These are calculated from first principles within the local density approximation. The electronic structure is in turn used to determine transport related quantities. Virtual crystal calculations for La(Fe,Co)_4Sb_{12} show that the system obeys near rigid band behavior with varying Co concentration, and has a substantial band gap at a position corresponding to the composition LaFe_3% CoSb_{12}. The valence band maximum occurs at the $Γ$ point and is due to a singly degenerate dispersive band, which by itself would not be favorable for high thermopower. However, very flat transition metal derived bands occur in close proximity and become active as the doping level is increased, giving a non-trivial dependence of the properties on carrier concentration and explaining the favorable thermoelectric properties.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗