0000000000240078

AUTHOR

Arvids Stashans

Quantum chemical simulations of bound hold polarons (V Mg centers) in corundum crystals

The semi-empirical INDO method has been applied to the calculations of the bound hole small-radius polarons in corundum. Results for optimized atomic and electronic structure using two different approaches (molecular cluster and periodic, supercell model) are critically compared. Both models find that two-site configurations of bound hole polarons have the lowest energy (which does not exclude existence of one-site polarons also characterized by essential relaxation energies). Experimental ENDOR data on V Mg defects are discussed in the light of the calculations.

research product

Computer modelling of radiation damage in cation sublattice of corundum

Results of quantum chemical computer simulations of close Frenkel defects in corundum crystals are presented and discussed. The conclusion is drawn that the energy barrier for a back recombination up to fourth nearest neighbours is less than 0.3 eV, i.e. such pairs should be unstable at temperatures above 40 K.

research product

Calculations of the geometry and optical properties ofFMgcenters and dimer (F2-type) centers in corundum crystals

CALCULATIONS OF THE GEOMETRY AND OPTICAL-PROPERTIES OF F-MG CENTERS AND DIMER (F-2-TYPE) CENTERS IN CORUNDUM CRYSTALS

research product

Quantum-chemical simulations of free and bound hole polarons in corundum crystal

Abstract The semi-empirical method of the so-called intermediate neglect of differential overlap (INDO) has been applied to the calculations of the hole small-radius polarons in corundum crystals. Results for optimized atomic and electronic structure using two different approaches (the molecular cluster and periodic, supercell model) are critically compared. It is shown that the main results are similar in both cases.

research product

Calculations of the ground and excited states ofF-type centers in corundum crystals

The semiempirical intermediate neglect of differential overlap method was used for calculating optical properties of ${\mathit{F}}^{+}$ and F centers (oxygen vacancy trapped one and two electrons, respectively) embedded into large quantum clusters, ${\mathrm{Al}}_{26}$${\mathrm{O}}_{39}$. The geometry was optimized for both the ground and excited states of defects. Calculated absorption and luminescence energies obtained for ${\mathit{F}}^{+}$ and F centers are in good agreement with experimental data. Their energy levels lie in the gap between the upper valence band and conduction band, like for similar centers in MgO and alkali halides. It is shown that the oxygen vacancy in corundum crys…

research product

Quantum chemical simulations of hole self-trapping in semi-ionic crystals

A novel formalism is presented for reliable calculations of the energetics of hole self-trapping in semi-ionic solids with mixed valence bands. Unlike previous model-Hamiltonian-type approaches, it is based on self-consistent quantum chemical INDO simulations of the atomistic and electronic structure of a self-trapped hole, making no a priori assumptions about a particular form of its localization (if any). This formalism is applied to the problem of hole self-trapping in corundum crystals (a -A1203). The hole self-trapping is found to be energetically favorable in the form of a diatomic 02 molecule with strong covalent bonding quite similar to the self-trapped hole (VK-center) in alkali ha…

research product

Mechanism of self-trapped hole motion in corundum crystals

Abstract Atomistic simulations of the self-trapped hole eauilibrium geometry and migration in a pure corundum crystal have been carried out using the semiempirical method of intermedia te neglect of differential overlap and atom-atom potentials, as implemented in the CASCADE code. The activation energies for three different hole-hopping mechanisms are calculated. It is shown that the 60° reorientations of a self-trapped hole and hopping to the nearest O-atom triangle reauire almost the same activation energy, approximately 0.9 eV, which agrees auite well with the experi-mental value for hole migration of 0.7 eV. A new mechanism of small-polaron motion is suggested.

research product