arXiv subjects

J. J. Rehr

Publications and source records attributed to J. J. Rehr.

49 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

arXiv2007

Many-pole model of inelastic losses in x-ray absorption spectra

Inelastic losses are crucial to a quantitative analysis of x-ray absorption spectra. However, current treatments are semi-phenomenological in nature. Here a first-principles, many-pole generalization of the plasmon-pole model is developed for improved calculations of inelastic losses. The method is based on the GW approximation for the self-energy and real space multiple scattering calculations of the dielectric function for a given system. The model retains the efficiency of the plasmon-pole model and is applicable both to periodic and aperiodic materials over a wide energy range. The same many-pole model is applied to extended GW calculations of the quasiparticle spectral function. This yields estimates of multi-electron excitation effects, e.g., the many-body amplitude factor $S_0^2$ due to intrinsic losses. Illustrative calculations are compared with other GW calculations of the self-energy, the inelastic mean free path, and experimental x-ray absorption spectra.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2007

Real Space Multiple Scattering Calculations of Relativistic Electron Energy Loss Spectra

{\it Ab initio} calculations of relativistic electron energy loss spectra (REELS) are carried out using a generalization of the real-space Green's function code FEFF8 which is applicable to general aperiodic materials. Our approach incorporates relativistic effects in terms of the cross-section tensor within the dipole selection rule. In particular the approach explains relativistic corrections to the magic angle in polarized EELS experiments. Our generalization includes instrumental effects, such as the integral of the cross section over the impulse transfer dependence, to account for a finite detector aperture and electron beam width. The approach is illustrated with an application to the graphite C K edge.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2007

Theoretical X-Ray Absorption Debye-Waller Factors

An approach is presented for theoretical calculations of the Debye-Waller factors in x-ray absorption spectra. These factors are represented in terms of the cumulant expansion up to third order. They account respectively for the net thermal expansion $σ^{(1)}(T)$, the mean-square relative displacements $σ^2(T)$, and the asymmetry of the pair distribution function $σ^{(3)}(T)$. Similarly, we obtain Debye-Waller factors for x-ray and neutron scattering in terms of the mean-square vibrational amplitudes $u^2(T)$. Our method is based on density functional theory calculations of the dynamical matrix, together with an efficient Lanczos algorithm for projected phonon spectra within the quasi-harmonic approximation. Due to anharmonicity in the interatomic forces, the results are highly sensitive to variations in the equilibrium lattice constants, and hence to the choice of exchange-correlation potential. In order to treat this sensitivity, we introduce two prescriptions: one based on the local density approximation, and a second based on a modified generalized gradient approximation. Illustrative results for the leading cumulants are presented for several materials and compared with experiment and with correlated Einstein and Debye models. We also obtain Born-von Karman parameters and corrections due to perpendicular vibrations.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2007

Deconvolving Instrumental and Intrinsic Broadening in Excited State X-ray Spectroscopies

Intrinsic and experimental mechanisms frequently lead to broadening of spectral features in excited-state spectroscopies. For example, intrinsic broadening occurs in x-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) measurements of heavy elements where the core-hole lifetime is very short. On the other hand, nonresonant x-ray Raman scattering (XRS) and other energy loss measurements are more limited by instrumental resolution. Here, we demonstrate that the Richardson-Lucy (RL) iterative algorithm provides a robust method for deconvolving instrumental and intrinsic resolutions from typical XAS and XRS data. For the K-edge XAS of Ag, we find nearly complete removal of ~9.3 eV FWHM broadening from the combined effects of the short core-hole lifetime and instrumental resolution. We are also able to remove nearly all instrumental broadening in an XRS measurement of diamond, with the resulting improved spectrum comparing favorably with prior soft x-ray XAS measurements. We present a practical methodology for implementing the RL algorithm to these problems, emphasizing the importance of testing for stability of the deconvolution process against noise amplification, perturbations in the initial spectra, and uncertainties in the core-hole lifetime.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2006

Background Proportional Enhancement of the Extended Fine Structure in Nonresonant Inelastic X-ray Scattering

We report new measurements and calculations of the non-resonant inelastic x-ray scattering (NRIXS) from Mg and Al for a wide range of momentum transfers, q. Extended oscillations in the dynamic structure factor S(q,w) due to scattering from the 2p and 2s orbitals (i.e. L-edges) are observed out to more than 150 eV past the binding energy. These results are discussed in context of the recently proposed representation of S(q,w) for core shells as an atomic background modulated by interference between different photoelectron scattering paths, in analogy to the standard treatment of extended x-ray absorption fine structure. In agreement with this representation, we find a strong increase in the atomic background with increasing q with a concomitant enhancement in the amplitude of the extended fine structure. This effect should be generic and hence may enable improved measurement of the extended fine structure in a wide range of materials containing low-Z elements.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2006

Ab initio calculations of mean free paths and stopping powers

A method is presented for first-principles calculations of inelastic mean free paths and stopping powers in condensed matter over a broad energy range. The method is based on {\it ab initio} calculations of the dielectric function in the long wavelength limit using a real-space Green's function formalism, together with extensions to finite momentum transfer. From these results we obtain the loss function and related quantities such as optical-oscillator strengths and mean excitation energies. From a many-pole representation of the dielectric function we then obtain the electron self-energy and inelastic mean free paths (IMFP). Finally using our calculated dielectric function and the optical-data model of Fernández-Varea {\it et al}., we obtain collision stopping powers (CSP) and penetration ranges. The results are consistent with semi-empirical approaches and with experiment.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2006

Ab initio calculations of inelastic losses and optical constants

Ab initio approaches are introduced for calculations of inelastic losses and vibrational damping in core level x-ray and electron spectroscopies. From the dielectric response function we obtain system-dependent self-energies, inelastic mean free paths, and losses due to multiple-electron excitations, while from the dynamical matrix we obtain phonon spectra and Debye-Waller factors. These developments yield various spectra and optical constants from the UV to x-ray energies in aperiodic materials, and significantly improve both the near edge and extended fine structure.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2005

Inelastic Scattering from Core-electrons: a Multiple Scattering Approach

The real-space multiple-scattering (RSMS) approach is applied to model non-resonant inelastic scattering from deep core electron levels over a broad energy spectrum. This approach is applicable to aperiodic or periodic systems alike and incorporates ab initio, self-consistent electronic structure and final state effects. The approach generalizes to finite momentum transfer a method used extensively to model x-ray absorption spectra (XAS), and includes both near edge spectra and extended fine structure. The calculations can be used to analyze experimental results of inelastic scattering from core-electrons using either x-ray photons (NRIXS) or electrons (EELS). In the low momentum transfer region (the dipole limit), these inelastic loss spectra are proportional to those from XAS. Thus their analysis can provide similar information about the electronic and structural properties of a system. Results for finite momentum transfer yield additional information concerning monopole, quadrupole, and higher couplings. Our results are compared both with experiment and with other theoretical calculations.

cond-mat.other↗

arXiv2004

Local environment of Nitrogen in GaN{y}As{1-y} epilayers on GaAs (001) studied using X-ray absorption near edge spectroscopy

X-ray absorption near-edge spectroscopy (XANES) is used to study the N environment in bulk GaN and in GaN{y}As{1-y} epilayers on GaAs (001), for y \~5%. Density-functional optimized structures were used to predict XANES via multiple-scattering theory. We obtain striking agreement for pure GaN. An alloy model with nitrogen pairs on Ga accurately predicts the threshold energy, the width of the XANES ``white line'', and features above threshold, for the given X-ray polarization. The presence of N-pairs may point to a role for molecular N_2 in epitaxial growth kinetics.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2002

Dynamic screening in L_2,3-shell transition metal x-ray absorption

Calculations of L-shell x-ray absorption in transition metals are shown to be sensitive to screening, both of the x-ray field and the photoelectron-core hole interaction. This screening is calculated using a generalization of the time dependent local density approximation and a projection onto a local atomic basis. The approach yields renormalized dipole-matrix elements which account for the observed deviations of the L_3/L_2 branching ratio from the 2:1 value of independent electron theory.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2001

Interference between Extrinsic and Intrinsic Losses in XAFS

The interference between extrinsic and intrinsic losses in x-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) is treated within a Green's function formalism, without explicit reference to final states. The approach makes use of a quasi-boson representation of excitations and perturbation theory in the interaction potential between electrons and quasi-bosons. These losses lead to an asymmetric broadening of the main quasi-particle peak plus an energy-dependent satellite in the spectral function. The x-ray absorption spectra (XAS) is then given by a convolution of an effective spectral function over a one-electron cross-section. It is shown that extrinsic and intrinsic losses tend to cancel near excitation thresholds, and correspondingly, the strength in the main peak increases. At high energies, the theory crosses-over to the sudden approximation. These results thus explain the observed weakness of multi-electron excitations in XAS. The approach is applied to estimate the many-body corrections to XAFS, beyond the usual mean-free-path, using a phasor summation over the spectral function. The asymmetry of the spectral function gives rise to an additional many-body phase shift in the XAFS formula.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv1999

Effect of Screening on Thermonuclear Fusion in Stellar and Laboratory Plasmas

The fusion enhancement factor due to screening in the solar plasma is calculated. We use the finite temperature Green's function method and a self consistent mean field approximation. We reduce this to one center problems, because in the collision of two fusing ions, the turning point where tunneling may occur lies far inside the screening radius. The numerical results given by this method indicate that screening may be slightly weaker than that obtained in the most recent previous calculations.

astro-ph↗

arXiv1994

X-ray Absorption Fine Structure in Embedded Atoms

Oscillatory structure is found in the atomic background absorption in x-ray-absorption fine structure (XAFS). This atomic-XAFS or AXAFS arises from scattering within an embedded atom, and is analogous to the Ramsauer-Townsend effect. Calculations and measurements confirm the existence of AXAFS and show that it can dominate contributions such as multi-electron excitations. The structure is sensitive to chemical effects and thus provides a new probe of bonding and exchange effects on the scattering potential.

cond-mat↗