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M. Hakala

Publications and source records attributed to M. Hakala.

7 recordsLinked to original sources

First-principles analysis of the intermediate band in CuGa$_{1-x}$Fe$_x$S$_2$

We present a comprehensive study of the electronic, magnetic, and optical properties of CuGa$_{1-x}$Fe$_x$S$_2$, as a promising candidate for intermediate-band (IB) solar cells. We use hybrid exchange-correlation functional within the density functional theory framework, and show that Fe doping induces unoccupied states 1.6-1.9 eV above the valence band. The IBs significantly enhance the optical absorption in lower energy part of the spectrum. We find that at moderate $n$-type co-doping concentration, the added charge occupies part of the IB in the gap, but large concentrations lower the energy of the occupied IB toward the valence band. Moreover, we show that Fe impurities tend to cluster within the compound and they choose antiferromagnetic ordering. The findings can have a significant effect in understanding this material and help to synthesize more efficient IB solar cells.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci

The LAGUNA design study- towards giant liquid based underground detectors for neutrino physics and astrophysics and proton decay searches

The feasibility of a next generation neutrino observatory in Europe is being considered within the LAGUNA design study. To accommodate giant neutrino detectors and shield them from cosmic rays, a new very large underground infrastructure is required. Seven potential candidate sites in different parts of Europe and at several distances from CERN are being studied: Boulby (UK), Canfranc (Spain), Fréjus (France/Italy), Pyhäsalmi (Finland), Polkowice-Sieroszowice (Poland), Slanic (Romania) and Umbria (Italy). The design study aims at the comprehensive and coordinated technical assessment of each site, at a coherent cost estimation, and at a prioritization of the sites within the summer 2010.

physics.ins-det

Beta-decay branching ratios of 62Ga

Beta-decay branching ratios of 62Ga have been measured at the IGISOL facility of the Accelerator Laboratory of the University of Jyvaskyla. 62Ga is one of the heavier Tz = 0, 0+ -> 0+ beta-emitting nuclides used to determine the vector coupling constant of the weak interaction and the Vud quark-mixing matrix element. For part of the experimental studies presented here, the JYFLTRAP facility has been employed to prepare isotopically pure beams of 62Ga. The branching ratio obtained, BR= 99.893(24)%, for the super-allowed branch is in agreement with previous measurements and allows to determine the ft value and the universal Ft value for the super-allowed beta decay of 62Ga.

nucl-ex

Comparison of chain versus sheet crystal structures for cyanides $M$CN ($M$ = Cu-Au) and dicarbides $M$C$_2$ ($M$ = Be-Ba; Zn-Hg). Alternatives to graphene ?

The cyanides $M$CN, $M$=Cu, Ag, Au, have experimentally a structure with hexagonally packed, infinite -$M$-CN-$M$-CN- chains. Following our earlier study for AuCN, we now predict that all three $M$CN could have an alternative $M_3$C$_3$N$_3$ sheet structure of comparable energy with the known one. The valence isoelectronic systems $M$C$_2$ versus $M_3$C$_6$, $M$=Be-Ba; Zn-Hg are also studied. Now, the known dicarbides have the CaC$_2$ or MgC$_2$ chain structures. The predicted sheets lie energetically below the chains for $M$ = Zn, Cd, and Hg. All these systems are experimentally unknown. Indeed, they are clearly endothermic, compared to the elements. For some sheet structures the densities of states suggests rather small band gaps and even metallic character. When available, the experimental geometries agree well with the calculated ones for both cyanides and dicarbides.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci

Modeling the momentum distributions of annihilating electron-positron pairs in solids

Measuring the Doppler broadening of the positron annihilation radiation or the angular correlation between the two annihilation gamma quanta reflects the momentum distribution of electrons seen by positrons in the material.Vacancy-type defects in solids localize positrons and the measured spectra are sensitive to the detailed chemical and geometric environments of the defects. However, the measured information is indirect and when using it in defect identification comparisons with theoretically predicted spectra is indispensable. In this article we present a computational scheme for calculating momentum distributions of electron-positron pairs annihilating in solids. Valence electron states and their interaction with ion cores are described using the all-electron projector augmented-wave method, and atomic orbitals are used to describe the core states. We apply our numerical scheme to selected systems and compare three different enhancement (electron-positron correlation) schemes previously used in the calculation of momentum distributions of annihilating electron-positron pairs within the density-functional theory. We show that the use of a state-dependent enhancement scheme leads to better results than a position-dependent enhancement factor in the case of ratios of Doppler spectra between different systems. Further, we demonstrate the applicability of our scheme for studying vacancy-type defects in metals and semiconductors. Especially we study the effect of forces due to a positron localized at a vacancy-type defect on the ionic relaxations.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci

Calculation of valence electron momentum densities using the projector augmented-wave method

We present valence electron Compton profiles calculated within the density-functional theory using the all-electron full-potential projector augmented-wave method (PAW). Our results for covalent (Si), metallic (Li, Al) and hydrogen-bonded ((H_2O)_2) systems agree well with experiments and computational results obtained with other band-structure and basis set schemes. The PAW basis set describes the high-momentum Fourier components of the valence wave functions accurately when compared with other basis set schemes and previous all-electron calculations.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci

First-Principles Calculations of Positron Annihilation in Solids

We present first-principles approaches based on density functional theory for calculating positron states and annihilation characteristics in condensed matter. The treatment of the electron-positron correlation effects (the enhancement of the electron density at the positron with respect to mean-field density) is shown to play a crucial role when calculating the annihilation rates. A generalized gradient approximation (GGA) takes the strong inhomogeneities of the electron density in the ion core region into account and reproduces well the experimental total annihilation rates (inverses of the positron lifetimes) by suppressing the rates given by a local density approximation (LDA). The GGA combined with an electron-state-dependent enhancement scheme gives a good description for the momentum distributions of the annihilating positron-electron pairs reproducing accurately the trends observed in the angular correlation (ACAR) or Doppler broadening measurements of the annihilation radiation. The combination of the present positron lifetime and momentum density calculations with the corresponding measurements yields a unique tool for defect identification. Especially, the investigation of various vacancy-type defects in semiconductors able to trap positrons will be an important field for these methods. We will show that the identification of vacancy-impurity complexes in highly n-Type Si and the study of the SiO$_2$/Si interface are particularly interesting applications.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci