Calculation of nonlinear optical properties of KNdP4O12

The second-order nonlinear optical (NLO) tensor coefficients of KNdP4O12 (KNP) are theoretically predicted from its crystal structural data, by using the chemical bond theory of complex crystals and the modified bond charge model. Linear and nonlinear optical contributions of each type of bond to the total linearity (chi) and nonlinearity (d(ij)) of KNP are quantitatively determined. The structure-property relationship of KNP is systematically investigated, from the chemical bond viewpoint. Based on the discussion of its structural modifications, we point out that NLO properties of I(NP can be improved effectively using the doping method. Theoretical predictions show KNP to be a promising: self-frequency-doubling laser material.

The origin of nonlinearities in K[B5O6(OH)(4)]center dot 2H(2)O crystal

In this paper the origin of nonlinearities of the K[B5O6(OH)(4)].2H(2)O(KB5) crystal has been investigated from a comprehensive view-point by using the bond-valence theory of complex crystals. The results of the calculation (d(31) = -1.18 X 10(-10) esu, d(32) = 0.20 X 10(-10) and d(33) = -1.03 X 10(-9) esu) are in good agreement with experimental data. For the first time we pointed out that its nonlinearities come from the H(2)-O(2) bonds and the [B5O6(OH)(4)](-) group, and estimated its larger nonlinear optical (NLO) coefficient d(33).

Luminescence of Pb2+ and energy transfer from Pb2+ to rare earth ions in silicate oxyapatites

The Pb2+ luminescence in a series of silicate oxyapatites Me(2)(Y, Gd)(8)(SiO4)(6)O-2, Me(4)Y(6)(SiO4)(6)O (Me = Mg: Ca, Sr) is reported and discussed in relation to the crystal structure. The maximum wavelengths of the excitation (S-1(0)-P-3(1)) and emission (P-3(1)-S-1(0)) bands of Pb2+ are independent of the Mc:Y ratio (2:8 or 4:6) but they have lower energies in MgY-oxyapatites than in CaY- and SrY-oxyapatites. The Stokes shift of Pb2+ luminescence amounts to 11 100 to 11 400 cm(-1): which does not depend strongly on the host composition. There exists a mutual energy transfer between Pb2+ and Gd3+ in Sr2Gd8(SiO4)(6)O-2. At last, the dependence of the energy transfer efficiency of Pb2+-Sm3+, Tb3+: Dy3+ in Sr-2(La: Gd)(8)(SiO4)(6)O-2 and Ca-2(Y, Gd)(8)(SiO4)(6)O-2 on their doping concentrations was studied in more detail.

MOSSBAUER-EFFECT STUDIES OF A NEW ORGANOEUROPIUM COMPLEX [EU(ETA-6-C6ME6)(ALCL4)2]4

The Mossbauer spectrum of a new organoeuropium complex with a neutral pi-ligand, Eu(eta6-C6Me6) (AlCl4)2, is measured at 88 K. The Mossbauer parameters derived from the spectrum show the divalent nature of the europium ion in this organoeuropium complex. The calculations of the electric field gradient at the Eu nucleus in the crystal indicate that the Eu-Cl bond in the compound may possess a certain covalent character. The low Debye temperature of this complex may be attributed to weak and delocalized pi-bonding between the Eu atom and the benzene ring of hexamethylbenzene, and a slow paramagnetic relaxation is suggested by the Mossbauer effect.

CRYSTAL-STRUCTURES AND MOSSBAUER-SPECTRA OF LAFE1-XMNXO3 AND LAFE1-XCOXO3 (X=0 TO 0.9)

The crystal structures and Mossbauer spectra of various mixed oxides LaFe1-xMnxO3 and LaFe1-xCoxO3 (x = 0 to 0.9) are determined and measured at room temperature. The results indicate that the crystal structure of both the La-Fe-Mn-O and the La-Fe-Co-O sy

MOSSBAUER-EFFECT STUDIES OF THE DIMER OF A BIMETALLIC EU-AL COMPLEX

Mossbauer spectra of the dimer of a bimetallic Eu-Al complex, [(CF3COO)3EuHAl(C2H5)2 . 2 THF]2 are measured at different temperatures (81 to 166 K) and some Mossbauer parameters, such as isomer shift, electric quadrupole splitting and asymmetric parameter, are derived from the experimental spectra. The Debye temperature of the compound determined by a Debye model is 128 K. The results indicate that europium in the organo-europium compound is trivalent and that a bridging hydrogen atom between two europium atoms exists in the dimer. The low Debye temperature implies that the weaker binding force between the europium atom and the lattice may be related to the structure and the chemical bonding in the organometallic compound of europium.

MOSSBAUER-EFFECT STUDIES OF THE PHASE-TRANSITION PROCESS IN EUROPIUM PENTAPHOSPHATE

Mossbauer spectra of europium pentaphosphate are measured at various temperatures (126 to 200-degrees-C). Some Mossbauer parameters, such as isomer shift, electric quadrupole splitting, and asymmetry parameter of the EFG at Eu-151 nuclei are derived from the experimental spectra. The lattice parameters of the crystal are determined at several temperatures. The experimental results indicate that the crystal structure of europium pentaphosphate changes from monoclinic to orthorhombic. All of the temperature dependences of the Mossbauer parameters provide evidence of a phase transition of the crystal. The phase transition temperature can be determined from the curve of the asymmetry parameter of EFG versus temperature to 165-degrees-C.

THE CHARGE-DISTRIBUTION AND THE ELECTRIC-FIELD GRADIENT IN THE HIGH-TEMPERATURE SUPERCONDUCTOR TLBA2CAN-1CUNO2N+3 (N = 1 TO 3)

The net charges at atoms in the high-temperature superconductor TlBa2Can-1CunO2n+3 (n = 1 to 3) are calculated by means of the tight-binding approximation based on the EHMO method. The results indicate that the charge distribution in this kind of compounds possesses a specially layered arrangement. An insulating Ba-Ba layer is inserted between the Cu-O layer and the Tl-O layer. There may exist a weak coupling between the Cu-O layer and the Tl-O layer through the interaction of the same O(2) atom with both the Cu atom and the Tl atom. The existence of the Ca in the compounds can cause the valence fluctuation at the Cu atom. The calculated electric field gradients at atoms implies that the conducting electron or hole may move in the Cu-O layer, which is closest to the Tl-O layer, along the a-b plane.

Ferroelectrics at the Nanoscale

There are several factors which make the investigation and understanding of nanoscale ferroelectrics particularly timely and important. Firstly, there is a market pressure, primarily from the electronics industry, to integrate ferroelectrics into devices with progressive decreases in size and increases in morphological complexity. This is perhaps best illustrated through the roadmaps for product development in FeRAM (Ferroelectric Randorn Access Memory) where the need for increases in bit density will require a move from 2D planar capacitor structures to 3D trenched capacitors in the next few years. Secondly, there is opportunity for novel exploration, as it is only relatively recently that developments in thin film growth of complex oxides, self-assembly techniques and high-resolution 'top-down' patterning have converged to allow the fabrication of isolated and well-defined ferroelectric nanoshapes, the properties of which are not known. Thirdly, there is an expectation that the behaviour of small scale ferroelectrics will be different from bulk, as this group of functional materials is highly sensitive to boundary/surface conditions, which are expected to dominate the overall response when sizes are reduced into the nanoscale regime. This feature article attempts to introduce some of the current areas of discovery and debate surrounding studies on ferroelectrics at the nanoscale. The focus is directed primarily at the search for novel size-related properties and behaviour which are not necessarily observed in bulk.

Electronic properties of interfaces and defects from many-body perturbation theory: Recent developments and applications

We review some recent developments in many body perturbation theory (MBPT) calculations that have enabled the study of interfaces and defects. Starting from the theoretical basis of MBPT, Hedin's equations are presented, leading to the CW and CWI' approximations. We introduce the perturbative approach, that is the one most commonly used for obtaining quasiparticle (QP) energies. The practical strategy presented for dealing with the frequency dependence of the self energy operator is based on either plasmon-pole models (PPM) or the contour deformation technique, with the latter being more accurate. We also discuss the extrapolar method for reducing the number of unoccupied states which need to be included explicity in the calculations. The use of the PAW method in the framework of MBPT is also described. Finally, results which have been obtained using, MBPT for band offsets a interfaces and for defects presented, with companies on the main difficulties and cancels.

Schematic representation of the QP corrections (marked with ) to the band edges (E and E-v) and a defect level (F) for a Si/SiO2 interface (Si and O atoms are represented in blue and red, respectively, in the ball and stick model) with an oxygen vacancy leading to a Si-Si bond (the Si atoms involved in this bond are colored light blue).