Temperature and composition dependence of short-range order and entropy, and statistics of bond length: the semiconductor alloy (GaN)(1-x)(ZnO)(x).

We present total energy and force calculations for the (GaN)1-x(ZnO)x alloy. Site-occupancy configurations are generated from Monte Carlo (MC) simulations, on the basis of a cluster expansion model proposed in a previous study. Local atomic coordinate relaxations of surprisingly large magnitude are found via density-functional calculations using a 432-atom periodic supercell, for three representative configurations at x = 0.5. These are used to generate bond-length distributions. The configurationally averaged composition- and temperature-dependent short-range order (SRO) parameters of the alloys are discussed. The entropy is approximated in terms of pair distribution statistics and thus related to SRO parameters. This approximate entropy is compared with accurate numerical values from MC simulations. An empirical model for the dependence of the bond length on the local chemical environments is proposed.

Nanocrystalline nanowires: III. Electrons.

Nanocrystalline nanowires (NCNW) are fragments of bulk crystals that are infinite in only one direction and typically have some rotational symmetry around this direction. Electron eigenstates belonging to the symmetry labels (k,m) (wavevector and rotational quantum number) are discussed. The rotational quantum number simplifies discussion of optical properties. For m not equal 0, the +/-m degeneracy allows orbital magnetism. The simplest sensible model which is more complex than a one-dimensional chain is solved. Methods are suggested for incorporating rotational symmetry into preexisting codes with three-dimensional translations.

Nanocrystalline nanowires: I. Structure.

Geometric constructions of possible atomic arrangements are suggested for inorganic nanowires. These are fragments of bulk crystals, and can be called "nanocrystalline" nanowires (NCNW). To minimize surface polarity, nearly one-dimensional formula units, oriented along the growth axis, generate NCNWs by translation and rotation.

Nanocrystalline nanowires: 2. Phonons.

Nanocrystalline nanowires (NCNW) are fragments of bulk crystals that are infinite in only one direction. A construction is given for calculating eigenstates belonging to the symmetry labels (k,m) (wavevector and rotational quantum number). Vibrational harmonic eigenstates are worked out explicitly for a simple model, illustrating the general results: the LA mode has m=0, while with sufficient rotational symmetry, the TA branch is doubly degenerate, has m=+/-1, and has quadratic dispersion with k for k less than the reciprocal diameter of the NCNW. The twiston branch (a fourth Goldstone boson) is an acoustic m=0 branch, additional to the LA and two TA branches.

Wire versus tube: stability of small one-dimensional ZnO nanostructures.

This paper presents first-principles calculations for ultrasmall ZnO one-dimensional nanostructures. The calculations were done on ZnO nanowires and single-walled nanotubes with n atoms per periodic unit, where one periodic unit is made up of two ZnO layers. The calculations show that, for small n, a single-walled nanotube has lower energy than a nanowire. A crossover point near n = 38 is predicted. Vibrations and vibrational entropy of competing structures is discussed.

Dissociation of MgSiO3 in the cores of gas giants and terrestrial exoplanets.

CaIrO3-type MgSiO3 is the planet-forming silicate stable at pressures and temperatures beyond those of Earth's core-mantle boundary. First-principles quasiharmonic free-energy computations show that this mineral should dissociate into CsCl-type MgO cotunnite-type SiO2 at pressures and temperatures expected to occur in the cores of the gas giants + and in terrestrial exoplanets. At approximately 10 megabars and approximately 10,000 kelvin, cotunnite-type SiO2 should have thermally activated electron carriers and thus electrical conductivity close to metallic values. Electrons will give a large contribution to thermal conductivity, and electronic damping will suppress radiative heat transport.

Density-Functional-Based Determination of Vibrational Polarizabilities in Molecules within the Double-Harmonic Approximation: Derivation and Application.

We present a nonperturbative derivation for the primary contribution to the vibrational polarizability for molecules, clusters, and other finite systems. Using a double-harmonic approximation and a finite-field approach the vibrational polarizability is calculated within the generalized gradient approximation to the density functional theory for a variety of molecules and clusters. The agreement between theory and experiment is quite good. The results show that for small ionic molecules and clusters, inclusion of the vibrational polarizability is necessary to achieve agreement with experiment.

Dipole interactions and electrical polarity in nanosystems: the Clausius-Mossotti and related models.

Point polarizable molecules at fixed spatial positions have solvable electrostatic properties in classical approximation, the most familiar being the Clausius-Mossotti (CM) formula. This paper generalizes the model and imagines various applications to nanosystems. The behavior is worked out for a sequence of octahedral fragments of simple cubic crystals, and the crossover to the bulk CM law is found. Some relations to fixed moment systems are discussed and exploited. The one-dimensional dipole stack is introduced as an important model system. The energy of interaction of parallel stacks is worked out, and clarifies the diverse behavior found in different crystal structures. It also suggests patterns of self-organization which polar molecules in solution might adopt. A sum rule on the stack interaction is found and tested. Stability of polarized states under thermal fluctuations is discussed, using the one-dimensional domain wall as an example. Possible structures for polar hard ellipsoids are considered. An idea is formulated for enhancing polarity of nanosystems by intentionally adding metallic coatings.