We have developed and implemented a selfconsistent density functional method using standard norm-conserving pseudopotentials and a flexible, numerical linear combination of atomic orbitals basis set, which includes multiple-zeta and polarization orbitals. Exchange and correlation are treated with the local spin density or generalized gradient approximations. The basis functions and the electron density are projected on a real-space grid, in order to calculate the Hartree and exchange-correlation potentials and matrix elements, with a number of operations that scales linearly with the size of the system. We use a modified energy functional, whose minimization produces orthogonal wavefunctions and the same energy and density as the Kohn-Sham energy functional, without the need for an explicit orthogonalization. Additionally, using localized Wannier-like electron wavefunctions allows the computation time and memory required to minimize the energy to also scale linearly with the size of the system. Forces and stresses are also calculated efficiently and accurately, thus allowing structural relaxation and molecular dynamics simulations.

/pdf/the-siesta-method-for-ab-initio-order-n-materials-simulation-1q65k8c3vq.pdf

The SIESTA method for ab initio order-N materials simulation

In this work we briefly describe the most relevant features of WSXM, a freeware scanning probe microscopy software based on MS-Windows. The article is structured in three different sections: The introduction is a perspective on the importance of software on scanning probe microscopy. The second section is devoted to describe the general structure of the application; in this section the capabilities of WSXM to read third party files are stressed. Finally, a detailed discussion of some relevant procedures of the software is carried out.

https://nanoed.tul.cz/pluginfile.php/1608/mod_resource/content/1/view.pdf

WSXM: a software for scanning probe microscopy and a tool for nanotechnology.

/pdf/honeycomb-carbon-a-review-of-graphene-bjl5wl6ai8.pdf

Honeycomb Carbon: A Review of Graphene

We introduce the 2D counterpart of layered black phosphorus, which we call phosphorene, as an unexplored p-type semiconducting material. Same as graphene and MoS2, single-layer phosphorene is flexible and can be mechanically exfoliated. We find phosphorene to be stable and, unlike graphene, to have an inherent, direct, and appreciable band gap. Our ab initio calculations indicate that the band gap is direct, depends on the number of layers and the in-layer strain, and is significantly larger than the bulk value of 0.31–0.36 eV. The observed photoluminescence peak of single-layer phosphorene in the visible optical range confirms that the band gap is larger than that of the bulk system. Our transport studies indicate a hole mobility that reflects the structural anisotropy of phosphorene and complements n-type MoS2. At room temperature, our few-layer phosphorene field-effect transistors with 1.0 μm channel length display a high on-current of 194 mA/mm, a high hole field-effect mobility of 286 cm2/V·s, and an...

/pdf/phosphorene-an-unexplored-2d-semiconductor-with-a-high-hole-pehm34p0g2.pdf

Phosphorene: An Unexplored 2D Semiconductor with a High Hole Mobility

https://www.zora.uzh.ch/id/eprint/3175/3/PP_VandeVondele_CPCom_2005QuickManVO.pdf

QUICKSTEP: Fast and accurate density functional calculations using a mixed Gaussian and plane waves approach

One striking anomaly of water ice has been largely neglected and never explained. Replacing hydrogen (1H) by deuterium (2H) causes ice to expand, whereas the normal isotope effect is volume contraction with increased mass. Furthermore, the anomaly increases with temperature T, even though a normal isotope shift should decrease with T and vanish when T is high enough to use classical nuclear motions. In this study, we show that these effects are very well described by ab initio density-functional theory. Our theoretical modeling explains these anomalies, and allows us to predict and to experimentally confirm a counter effect, namely, that replacement of 16O by 18O causes a normal lattice contraction.

/pdf/anomalous-nuclear-quantum-effects-in-ice-28jme20hwz.pdf

Anomalous nuclear quantum effects in ice

We present a method for selfconsistent Density Functional Theory calculations in which the effort required is proportional to the size of the system, thus allowing the aplication to problems with a very large size. The method is based on the LCAO approximation, and uses a mixed approach to obtain the Hamiltonian integrals between atomic orbitals with Order-N effort. We show the performance and the convergence properties of the method in several silicon and carbon systems, and in a DNA periodic chain.

https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S1946427400237068

Mixed Approach to Incorporate Self-Consistency into Order-N LCAO Methods

We propose carbon nitride clusters based on first-principles density-functional calculations. Their cagelike structures preserve the stoichiometry (except for slight variations) and coordination of graphite-${\text{C}}_{3}{\text{N}}_{4}$, with aromatic ${\text{C}}_{3}{\text{N}}_{3}$ rings joined by triply coordinated nitrogen atoms. The proposed clusters, with true nanometric sizes of $\ensuremath{\sim}1\text{ }\text{nm}$, are much smaller than others previously reported. Their stability was studied by molecular-dynamics simulations at high temperature. Their formation energy and electronic properties were calculated and the interaction with a metallic surface has been also studied.

Hollow C 3 N 4 nanoclusters from first principles

A functional ${E}_{\mathrm{xc}}[\ensuremath{\rho}(\mathbf{r},\ensuremath{\epsilon})]$ is presented, in which the exchange and correlation energy of an electron gas depends on the local density of occupied states. A simple local parametrization scheme is proposed, entirely from first-principles, based on the decomposition of the exchange-correlation hole in scattering states of different relative energies. In its practical Kohn-Sham-like form, the single-electron orbitals become the independent variables, and an explicit formula for the functional derivative is obtained.

https://arxiv.org/pdf/cond-mat/0309507.pdf

Exchange and correlation as a functional of the local density of states

/pdf/comment-on-identifying-molecular-orientation-of-individual-289ncgddkv.pdf

José M. Soler

Papers

Anomalous nuclear quantum effects in ice

Mixed Approach to Incorporate Self-Consistency into Order-N LCAO Methods

Hollow C 3 N 4 nanoclusters from first principles

Exchange and correlation as a functional of the local density of states

Comment on "Identifying molecular orientation of individual C60 on a Si(111)-(7x7) Surface"