Semi-Empirical Calculations of Hole Polarons in MgO and KNbO3 Crystals

The semi-empirical quantum chemical INDO method has been used for cluster and large unit cell calculations of hole polarons bound to a cation vacancy in highly ionic MgO and partly covalent perovskite KNbO 3 . In both cases a hole is well localized on an oxygen atom displaced towards the vacancy. The calculated optical and thermal ionization energies for V - and V 0 centers are in excellent agreement with experimental data for MgO. In KNbO 3 we predict the existence of one-site and two-site (molecular) polarons with close absorption energies (1 e V). The relevant experimental data are discussed.