Strain-induced ferroelectricity in simple rocksalt binary oxides

in Physical Review Letters (2010), 104

Using first-principles density functional calculations, we show that ferroelectricity can be induced in simple alkaline-earth-metal binary oxides such as barium oxide (BaO) using appropriate epitaxial ... [more ▼]

Using first-principles density functional calculations, we show that ferroelectricity can be induced in simple alkaline-earth-metal binary oxides such as barium oxide (BaO) using appropriate epitaxial strains. Going beyond the fundamental discovery, we highlight that the functional properties (polarization, dielectric constant, and piezoelectric response) of such strained binary oxides are comparable in magnitude to those of typical ferroelectric perovskite oxides, making them of direct interest for applications. Finally, we show that magnetic binary oxides such as EuO, with the same rocksalt structure, behave similarly to the alkaline-earth-metal oxides, suggesting a route to new multiferroics combining ferroelectric and magnetic properties. [less ▲]

First-principles study of competing ferroelectric and antiferroelectric instabilities in BaTiO3/BaO superlattices

in Physical Review. B : Condensed Matter (2010), 82(4), 045426

We report a first-principles study of (BaTiO3) m/ (BaO) n superlattices for a wide range of periodicities m/n. We show that such a system develops a polar zone-center instability for sufficiently large m ... [more ▼]

We report a first-principles study of (BaTiO3) m/ (BaO) n superlattices for a wide range of periodicities m/n. We show that such a system develops a polar zone-center instability for sufficiently large m/n ratio, which can be understood, at least qualitatively, from a simple electrostatic model and should lead to a ferroelectric ground state. However, the analysis of the phonon-dispersion curves also points out the appearance of stronger antiferroelectric instabilities at the zone boundaries around m=4, before the critical ratio for ferroelectricity is reached and which still dominate beyond it. The dominant character of the antiferroelectric instability is explained from the depolarizing field which hardens the ferroelectric mode. This analysis allows us to predict that, (BaTiO3) m/ (BaO) n superlattices should present an antiferroelectric ground state for m larger than 4, which should smoothly evolve to a multidomain structure for increasing m values and only become ferroelectric for large m. [less ▲]

ABINIT: First-principles approach to material and nanosystem properties

in Computer Physics Communications (2009), 180

ABINIT allows one to study, from first-principles, systems made of lectrons and nuclei (e.g. periodic solids, molecules, nanostructures, etc.), on the basis of Density-Functional Theory (DFT) and many ... [more ▼]

ABINIT allows one to study, from first-principles, systems made of lectrons and nuclei (e.g. periodic solids, molecules, nanostructures, etc.), on the basis of Density-Functional Theory (DFT) and many-Body Perturbation Theory. beyond the computation of the total energy, charge density and electronic structure of such systems, ABINIT also implements many dynamical, dielectric, thermodynamical, mechanical, or electronic properties, at different levels of approximation. The present paper provides an exhustive account of the capabilities of ABINIT. It should be helpful to scienttists that are not familirized with ABINIT, as well as to already regular users. First, we give a broad overview of ABINIT, including the list of the capabilities and how to access them. Then, we present in more details the recent, advance, developments of ABINIT, with adequate references to the underlying theory, as well as the relevant input variables, tests and, if available, ABINIT tutorials. [less ▲]

Hybrid functional study of prototypical multiferroic bismuth ferrite

in Physical Review b (2009), 79(1),

We report a systematic comparison of various exchange-correlation functionals for the prediction of the structural, magnetic, electronic, and dynamical (phonons and Born effective charge tensors ... [more ▼]

We report a systematic comparison of various exchange-correlation functionals for the prediction of the structural, magnetic, electronic, and dynamical (phonons and Born effective charge tensors) properties of bismuth ferrite, a prototypical multiferroic compound. We have not only considered the usual approximations to density-functional theory such as the local-density approximation (LDA), generalized (GGA), and LDA+U, but also hybrid approaches such as B3LYP and B1. The recent B1-WC hybrid functional of Bilc [Phys. Rev. B 77, 165107 (2008)], with the GGA functional of Wu and Cohen and an exact exchange mixing parameter of 0.16, provides very good overall agreement with experiments and can be considered as a valuable alternative to LDA, GGA, and DFT+U for the study of bismuth ferrite. This does not only allow a reliable interpretation of the physical properties of this specific compound but also opens perspectives for further and more predictive first-principles investigations of multiferroic materials. [less ▲]

Correlation between optical constants and crystal chemical parameters of ZrW2O8

in Journal of Solid State Chemistry (2009), 182(10), 2762-2768

The refractive indices of ZrW2O8, measured at wavelengths of 435.8-643.8 nm, were used to calculate n(D) at lambda = 589.3 nm and n(infinity) at lambda = infinity from a one-term Sellmeier equation ... [more ▼]

The refractive indices of ZrW2O8, measured at wavelengths of 435.8-643.8 nm, were used to calculate n(D) at lambda = 589.3 nm and n(infinity) at lambda = infinity from a one-term Sellmeier equation. Refractive indices, n(D) and dispersion values, A, are, respectively, 1.8794 and 114 x 10(-16) m(2). The high dispersion, relative to other molybdates, tungstates and Zr-containing compounds, is attributed to the low value of E-o = 7.7 eV and mean cation coordination number. Total electronic polarizabilities, alpha(total), were calculated from n(infinity) and the Lorenz-Lorentz equation. The unusually large difference between the observed polarizability of 20.087 angstrom(3) and the calculated total polarizability alpha(T) of 17.59 angstrom(3) (Delta = +12.4%) is attributed to (1) a large M-O-W angle, (2) a high degree of W 5d-O(terminal) 2p and Zr nd-O 2p hybridization, and (3) unusually high oxygen displacement factors, B(O), normalized to B(W). (C) 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. [less ▲]

First-principles study of the dielectric and dynamical properties of orthorhombic CaMnO3

in Journal of Physics : Condensed Matter (2008), 20(25),

The structural, dielectric and dynamical properties of the low temperature antiferromagnetic orthorhombic phase of CaMnO3 have been computed from first principles, using a density functional theory ... [more ▼]

The structural, dielectric and dynamical properties of the low temperature antiferromagnetic orthorhombic phase of CaMnO3 have been computed from first principles, using a density functional theory approach within the local spin density approximation. The theoretical structural parameters are in good agreement with experiment. The full set of zone-center phonons is reported, allowing new assignment of experimental Raman data and providing reference values for the interpretation of future infrared phonon measurements. It is shown that the static dielectric constant is very large and comparable in amplitude to that of isostructural CaTiO3. In contrast to the pseudocubic structure, it is also highly anisotropic. These features are discussed in relationship to the anomalous Born effective charges and the presence of low frequency polar modes. [less ▲]

A new hybrid exchange-correlation functional for accurate prediction of the electronic and structural properties of ferroelectric oxides

in Physical Review b (2008), 77(16),

Using a linear combination of atomic orbitals approach, we report a systematic comparison of various density functional theory (DFT) and hybrid exchange-correlation functionals for the prediction of the ... [more ▼]

Using a linear combination of atomic orbitals approach, we report a systematic comparison of various density functional theory (DFT) and hybrid exchange-correlation functionals for the prediction of the electronic and structural properties of prototypical ferroelectric oxides. It is found that none of the available functionals is able to provide, at the same time, accurate electronic and structural properties of the cubic and tetragonal phases of BaTiO3 and PbTiO3. Some, although not all, usual DFT functionals predict the structure with acceptable accuracy, but always underestimate the electronic band gaps. Conversely, common hybrid functionals yield an improved description of the band gaps, but overestimate the volume and atomic distortions associated with ferroelectricity, giving rise to an unacceptably large c/a ratio for the tetragonal phases of both compounds. This supertetragonality is found to be induced mainly by the exchange energy corresponding to the generalized gradient approximation (GGA) and, to a lesser extent, by the exact exchange term of the hybrid functional. We thus propose an alternative functional that mixes exact exchange with the recently proposed GGA of Wu and Cohen [Phys. Rev. B 73, 235116 (2006)] which, for solids, improves over the treatment of exchange of the most usual GGA's. The new functional renders an accurate description of both the structural and electronic properties of typical ferroelectric oxides. [less ▲]

Dynamical, dielectric, and elastic properties of GeTe investigated with first-principles density functional theory

in Physical Review b (2008), 78(20),

The dynamical, dielectric, and elastic properties of GeTe, a ferroelectric material in its low-temperature rhombohedral phase, have been investigated using first-principles density functional theory. We ... [more ▼]

The dynamical, dielectric, and elastic properties of GeTe, a ferroelectric material in its low-temperature rhombohedral phase, have been investigated using first-principles density functional theory. We report the electronic energy bands, phonon-dispersion curves, electronic and low-frequency dielectric tensors, infrared reflectivity, Born effective charges, and elastic and piezoelectric tensors and compare them with the existing theoretical and experimental results, as well as with similar quantities available for other ferroelectric materials, when appropriate. [less ▲]

First-principles calculations of the nonlinear optical susceptibilities and Raman scattering spectra of lithium niobate

in Journal of Physics : Condensed Matter (2007), 19(45),

Nonlinear optical susceptibilities and nonresonant Raman scattering spectra of the ferroelectric phase of lithium niobate (LiNbO3) are computed using a first-principles approach based on density ... [more ▼]

Nonlinear optical susceptibilities and nonresonant Raman scattering spectra of the ferroelectric phase of lithium niobate (LiNbO3) are computed using a first-principles approach based on density functional theory and taking advantage of a recent implementation based on the nonlinear response formalism and the 2n+1 theorem. Infrared reflectivity spectra of the ferroelectric phase of LiNbO3 are also calculated. New assignments are proposed for the E-modes, clarifying a longstanding debate in the literature. In addition, it is shown that knowledge of the nonlinear optical susceptibility tensor of LiNbO3 does not significantly alter the profile of its Raman spectra in a configuration where the longitudinal optic modes are involved. [less ▲]

Raman and infrared spectra of multiferroic bismuth ferrite from first principles

in Physical Review b (2007), 75(22),

The entire zone-center phonon spectrum of the R3c ferroelectric antiferromagnetic phase of bismuth ferrite is computed using a first-principles approach based on density functional theory. Two phonon ... [more ▼]

The entire zone-center phonon spectrum of the R3c ferroelectric antiferromagnetic phase of bismuth ferrite is computed using a first-principles approach based on density functional theory. Two phonon modes exhibiting eigendisplacement vectors that strongly overlap with the atomic distortions taking place at the ferroelectric structural phase transition are identified and give support to a transition with displacive character. Both Raman and infrared reflectivity spectra are also computed, providing benchmark theoretical results for the assignment of experimental spectra. [less ▲]