Abstract: We present the Tight-Binding Studio (TB Studio) software package that calculates the different parameters of a tight-binding Hamiltonian from a set of Bloch energy bands obtained from first principle theories such as density functional theory, Hartree-Fock calculations or semi-empirical band-structure theory. This will be helpful for scientists who are interested in studying electronic and optical properties of structures using Green's function theory within the tight-binding approximation. TB Studio is a cross-platform application written in C++ with a graphical user interface design that is user-friendly and easy to work with. This software is powered by Linear Algebra Package C interface library for solving the eigenvalue problems and the standard high performance OpenGL graphic library for real time plotting. TB Studio and its examples together with the tutorials are available for download from tight-binding.com. Program summary Program Title: Tight-Binding Studio Program Files doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.17632/j6x5mwzm2d.1 Licensing provisions: LGPL Programming language: C++ External routines: BLAS, LAPACK, LAPACKE, wxWidgets, OpenGL, MathGL Nature of problem: Obtaining Tight-Binding Hamiltonian from a set of Bloch energy bands obtained from first-principles calculations. Solution method: Starting from the simplified LCAO method, a tight-binding model in the two-center approximation is constructed. The Slater and Koster (SK) approach is used to calculate the parameters of the TB Hamiltonian. By using non-linear fitting approaches the optimal values of the SK parameters are obtained such that the TB energy eigenvalues are as close as possible to those from first-principles calculations. We obtain the expression for the Hamiltonian and the overlap matrix elements between the different orbitals of the different atoms in an orthogonal or non-orthogonal basis set. (C) 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Abstract: We present the quasiparticle band structure of ZnO in its zincblende (ZB) and rocksalt (RS) phases at the Γ point, calculated within the GW approximation. The effect of the pd hybridization on the quasiparticle corrections to the band gap is discussed. We compare three systems, ZB-ZnO which shows strong pd hybridization and has a direct band gap, RS-ZnO which is also hybridized but includes inversion symmetry and therefore has an indirect band gap, and ZB-ZnS which shows a weaker hybridization due to a change of the chemical species from oxygen to sulfur. The quasiparticle corrections are calculated with different numbers of valence electrons in the Zn pseudopotential. We find that the Zn20 + pseudopotential is essential for the adequate treatment of the exchange interaction in the self-energy. The calculated GW band gaps are 2.47 eV and 4.27 eV respectively, for the ZB and RS phases. The ZB-ZnO band gap is underestimated compared to the experimental value of 3.27 by ~ 0.8 eV. The RS-ZnO band gap compares well with the experimental value of 4.5 eV. The underestimation for ZB-ZnO is correlated with the strong pd hybridization. The GW band gap for ZnS is 3.57 eV, compared to the experimental value of 3.8 eV.

Abstract: We present the post-modification of a gallium based Metal Organic Framework, COMOC-4, with a Mo-complex. The resulting Mo@COMOC-4 was characterized by means of N2 sorption, XRPD, DRIFT, TGA, XRF, XPS and TEM analysis. The results demonstrate that even at high Mo-complex loadings on the framework, no aggregation or any Mo or Mo oxide species are formed. Moreover, the Mo@COMOC-4 was evaluated as a catalyst in the epoxidation of cyclohexene, cyclooctene and cyclododecene employing TBHP in decane as oxidant. The post-modified COMOC-4 exhibits a very high selectivity toward the epoxide (up to 100%). Regenerability and stability tests have been carried out demonstrating that the catalyst can be recycled without leaching of Mo or loss of crystallinity.

Abstract: We present the in situ synthesis of Au nanoparticles within the Zr based Metal Organic Framework, UiO-66. The resulting Au@UiO-66 materials were characterized by means of N-2 sorption, XRPD, UV-Vis, XRF, XPS and TEM analysis. The Au nanoparticles (NP) are homogeneously distributed along the UiO-66 host matrix when using NaBH4 or H-2 as reducing agents. The Au@UiO-66 materials were evaluated as catalysts in the oxidation of benzyl alcohol and benzyl amine employing O-2 as oxidant. The Au@MOF materials exhibit a very high selectivity towards the ketone (up to 100%). Regenerability and stability tests demonstrate that the Au@UiO-66 catalyst can be recycled with a negligible loss of Au species and no loss of crystallinity. In situ IR measurements of UiO-66 and Au@UiO-66-NaBH4, before and after treatment with alcohol, showed an increase in IR bands that can be assigned to a combination of physisorbed and chemisorbed alcohol species. This was confirmed by velocity power spectra obtained from the molecular dynamics simulations. Active peroxo and oxo species on Au could be visualized with Raman analysis.

Abstract: We present the growth and optimization of ultralow loss Si-based Al2O3 planar waveguides, which have a high potential to boost the performance of rare-earth ion doped waveguide devices operating at visible and C-band wavelength ranges. The planar waveguide structures are grown using thermal atomic layer deposition. Systematic characterization of the obtained thin films is performed by spectroscopic ellipsometry, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analyses, and the optimum parameters are identified. The optical loss measurements for both transverse electric (TE) and transverse magnetic polarized light at 633, 829, and 1549 nm are performed. The lowest propagation loss value of 0.04 +/- 0.02 dB/cm for the Al2O3 waveguides for TE polarization at 1549 nm is demonstrated.

Abstract: We present the ASTRA Toolbox as an open platform for 3D image reconstruction in tomography. Most of the software tools that are currently used in electron tomography offer limited flexibility with respect to the geometrical parameters of the acquisition model and the algorithms used for reconstruction. The ASTRA Toolbox provides an extensive set of fast and flexible building blocks that can be used to develop advanced reconstruction algorithms, effectively removing these limitations. We demonstrate this flexibility, the resulting reconstruction quality, and the computational efficiency of this toolbox by a series of experiments, based on experimental dual-axis tilt series.

Abstract: We present results of Monte Carlo simulations of chains of C-60 and chains of C-70 molecules encapsulated in a single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT). We observe the changes in the configuration of the fullerene molecules when varying tube radius and temperature. In particular, the evolution of the pair correlation functions reveal a transition from linear harmonic chain behavior to a hard-sphere liquid upon heating, demonstrating the possibility of tuning properties of C-60- and C-70@SWCNT peapods with radius and temperature.

Abstract: We present model calculations based on a coherent tunneling picture, which reproduce well both the single-particle energy level position and the resonant current strength at two typical anticrossings, one involving two levels and the other three levels in a coherent mixer composed of two weakly coupled vertical quantum dots. An essential ingredient is the inclusion of higher degree terms to account for deviations from an ideal elliptical parabolic confining potential in realistic dots. We also calculate density plots of the mixed states for the modified potential.

Abstract: We present how the introduction of anion vacancies in oxyhydrides enables a route to access new oxynitrides, by conducting ammonolysis of perovskite oxyhydride EuTiO3-xHx (x similar to 0.18). At 400 degrees C, similar to our studies on BaTiO3-xHx, hydride lability enables a low temperature direct ammonolysis of EUTi3.82+O-2.82/H-0.18, leading to the N3-/H--exchanged product EuTi4+O2.82No0.12 square 0.06 center dot When the ammonolysis temperature was increased up to 800 degrees C, we observed a further nitridation involving N3-/O2- exchange, yielding a fully oxidized Eu3+Ti4+O2N with the GdFeO3-type distortion (Pnma) as a metastable phase, instead of pyrochlore structure. Interestingly, the same reactions using the oxide EuTiO3 proceeded through a 1:1 exchange of N3- with O-2 only above 600 degrees C and resulted in incomplete nitridation to EuTi02.25N0.75, indicating that anion vacancies created during the initial nitridation process of EuTiO2.82H0.18 play a crucial role in promoting anion (N3-/O2-) exchange at high temperatures. Hence, by using (hydride-induced) anion-deficient precursors, we should be able to expand the accessible anion composition of perovskite oxynitrides.

Abstract: We present here data of mineral dust variability retrieved from an ice core of the central West Antarctic, spanning the last five decades. Main evidence provided by the geochemical analysis is that northerly air mass incursions to the coring site, tracked by insoluble dust microparticles, have declined over the past 50 yr. This result contrasts with dust records from ice cores reported to the coastal West Antarctic that show increases since mid-20th century. We attribute this difference to regional climatic changes due to the ozone depletion and its implications to westerly winds. We found that the diameters of insoluble microparticles in the central West Antarctica ice core are significantly correlated with cyclone depth (energy) and wind intensity around Antarctica.

Abstract: We present full ab initio calculations of the phonon band structure of thin Si nanowires oriented along the [110] direction. Using these phonon dispersion relations, we investigate the structural stability of these wires. We found that all studied wires were stable also when doped with either B or P, if the unit cell was taken sufficiently large along the wire axis. The evolution of the phonon dispersion relations and of the sound velocities with respect to the wire diameters is discussed. Softening is observed for acoustic modes and hardening for optical phonon modes with increasing wire diameters.

Abstract: We present extensive calculations of the optical and plasmonic properties of a graphene sheet carrying a dc current. By calculating analytically the density-density response function of current-carrying states at finite temperature, we demonstrate that an applied dc current modifies the Pauli blocking mechanism and that absorption acquires a birefringent character with respect to the angle between the in-plane light polarization and current flow. Employing the random phase approximation at finite temperature, we show that graphene plasmons display a degree of non-reciprocity and collimation that can be tuned with the applied current. We discuss the possibility to measure these effects.

Abstract: We present experimental and computational results that enlighten the mechanisms underlying the chemical contribution to surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). Gold void metallic arrays electrochemically covered either by a Ag monolayer or 10100 Ag layers were modified with a self-assembled monolayer of 4-mercaptopyridine as a molecular Raman probe displaying a rich and unexpected Raman response. A resonant increase of the Raman intensity in the red part of the spectrum is observed that cannot be related to plasmon excitations of the cavity-array. Notably, we find an additional 1020 time increase of the SERS amplification upon deposition of a single Ag layer on the Au substrate, which is, however, almost quenched upon deposition of 10 atomic layers. Further deposition of 100 atomic Ag layers results in a new increase of the SERS signal, consistent with the improved plasmonic efficiency of Ag bulk-like structures. The SERS response as a function of the Ag layer thickness is analyzed in terms of ab initio calculations and a microscopic model for the SERS chemical mechanism based on a resonant charge transfer process between the molecular HOMO state and the Fermi level in the metal surface. We find that a rearrangement of the electronic charge density related to the presence of the Ag monolayer in the Au/Ag/molecule complex causes an increase in the distance between the HOMO center of charge and the metallic image plane that is responsible for the variation of Raman enhancement between the studied substrates. Our results provide a general platform for studying the chemical contribution to SERS, and for enhancing the Raman efficiency of tailored Au-SERS templates through electrochemical modification with Ag films.

Abstract: We present energy calculations of a C80 molecule with D5d symmetry encapsulated in a carbon nanotube. The approximation of a continuous tube rather than a rolled-up graphene sheet, justified by comparison with atomistic calculations, allows an expansion of the energy field into symmetry-adapted rotator functions. For a given tube radius R, we observe a strong dependence of the interaction energy on the molecular tilt angle and on the molecules lateral position in the tube. We observe a transition from on-axis lying orientations to tilted orientations at R1≈6.95 Å and a subsequent transition to standing orientations at R2≈7.6 Å. For tube radii larger than R3≈8.0 Å, the molecule starts to occupy off-axis positions and assumes a lying orientation. Results are compared to the case of C70 molecules, with D5h symmetry. Our findings are consistent with recent high-resolution transmission electron microscopy measurements and are relevant for the design of new materials with tunable electronic properties.

Abstract: We present comprehensive calculations of the low-field hole mobility in Ge p-channel inversion layers with SiO2 insulator using a six-band k·p band-structure model. The cases of relaxed, biaxially, and uniaxially (both tensily and compressively) strained Ge are studied employing an efficient self-consistent methodmaking use of a nonuniform spatial mesh and of the Broyden second methodto solve the coupled envelope-wave function k·p and Poisson equations. The hole mobility is computed using the KuboGreenwood formalism accounting for nonpolar hole-phonon scattering and scattering with interfacial roughness. Different approximations to handle dielectric screening are also investigated. As our main result, we find a large enhancement (up to a factor of 10 with respect to Si) of the mobility in the case of uniaxial compressive stress similarly to the well-known case of Si. Comparison with experimental data shows overall qualitative agreement but with significant deviations due mainly to the unknown morphology of the rough Ge-insulator interface, to additional scattering with surface optical phonon from the high- insulator, to Coulomb scattering interface traps or oxide chargesignored in our calculationsand to different channel structures employed.