Materials Science (cond-mat.mtrl-sci)

Abstract: We present a novel finite-temperature second-order perturbation method incorporating spin-orbit coupling to investigate the temperature-dependent site-resolved contributions to the magnetocrystalline anisotropy energy (MAE), specifically K1(T), in FePt, MnAl, and FeNi alloys. Our developed method successfully reproduces the results obtained using the force theorem from our previous work. By employing this method, we identify the key sites responsible for the distinctive behaviors of MAE in these alloys, shedding light on the inadequacy of the spin model in capturing the temperature dependence of MAE in itinerant magnets. Moreover, we explore the lattice expansion effect on the temperature dependence of on-site contributions to K1(T) in FeNi. Our results not only provide insights into the limitations of the spin model in explaining the temperature dependence of MAE in itinerant ferromagnets but also highlight the need for further investigations. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the complex nature of MAE in itinerant magnetic systems.

Abstract: Dendritic microstructures are frequently observed in as-solidified refractory high-entropy alloys (RHEAs), and their homogenization typically requires a long-term heat treatment at extremely high temperatures. High-pressure torsion (HPT) has been shown to be capable of mixing immiscible systems at room temperature, and therefore represents a promising technique for homogenizing dendritic RHEAs. In this work, the as-solidified RHEA MoNbTaTiVZr was processed up to 40 revolutions by HPT. It was found that the dendritic microstructure was eliminated, resulting in a chemical homogeneity at a von Mises equivalent shear strain of about 400. The study of deformation mechanism showed an initial strain localization, followed by a co-deformation of the dendritic and interdendritic regions. In the co-deformation step, the Zr-rich interdendritic region gradually disappeared. The deformation-induced mixing also led to the formation of an ultra-fine grained (UFG) microstructure, exhibiting a grain size of approximately 50 nm. The microhardness increased from 500 HV in the as-solidified to 675 HV in the homogenized UFG state. The underlying mechanisms responsible for the microhardness enhancement, such as grain refinement and solid solution strengthening, were also discussed.

Abstract: We investigate the ultrafast lattice dynamics in ${1T-TiSe_2}$ using femtosecond reflection pump-probe and pump-pump-probe techniques at room temperature. The time-domain signals and Fourier-transformed spectra show the $A_{1g}$ phonon mode at 5.9 THz. Moreover, we observe an additional mode at $\approx$ 3 THz, corresponding to the charge-density wave (CDW) amplitude mode, which is generally visible below T$_c \approx 200\ $K. We argue that the emergence of the CDW amplitude mode at room temperature can be a consequence of fluctuations of order parameters, based on the additional experiment using the pump-pump-probe technique, which exhibited suppression of the AM signal within the ultrafast time scale of $\sim$ 0.5 ps.

Abstract: The process of anomalous transfer of interstitial atoms during impact deformation of the crystal surface is described theoretically. As shown that surface impact leads to the formation of a wave of inhomogeneous atomic displacements in the medium, which propagates from the surface into the depth of the crystal. The formation of a deformation wave leads to a change in the interatomic distance at the wave front and a change in the potential energy for interstitial atoms. Interstitial atoms at the front of the deformation wave receive an additional impulse, which leads to an increase in their kinetic energy and contributes their movement deep into the crystal.

Abstract: For the computational prediction of core electron binding energies in solids, two distinct kinds of modelling strategies have been pursued: the $\Delta$-Self-Consistent-Field method based on density functional theory (DFT), and the GW method. In this study, we examine the formal relationship between these two approaches, and establish a link between them. The link arises from the equivalence, in DFT, between the total energy difference result for the first ionization energy, and the eigenvalue of the highest occupied state, in the limit of infinite supercell size. This link allows us to introduce a new formalism, which highlights how in DFT - even if the total energy difference method is used to calculate core electron binding energies - the accuracy of the results still implicitly depends on the accuracy of the eigenvalue at the valence band maximum in insulators, or at the Fermi level in metals. We examine, whether incorporating a quasiparticle correction for this eigenvalue from GW theory improves the accuracy of the calculated core electron binding energies, and find that the inclusion of vertex corrections is required for achieving quantitative agreement with experiment.

Abstract: A comparative theoretical study is presented for the rhombohedral R3 and R3m phase HfO2, of two possible forms in its heavily Zr-doped ferroelectric thin films found recently in experiments. Their structural stability and polarization under the in-plane compressive strain are comprehensively investigated. We discovered that there is a phase transition from R3 to R3m phase under the biaxial compressive strain. Both the direction and amplitude of their polarization can be tuned by the strain. By performing a symmetry mode analysis, we are able to understand its improper nature of the ferroelectricity. These results may help to shed light on the understanding of the hafnia ferroelectric thin films.

Abstract: We introduce machine learning (ML) models that predict the electronic structure of materials across a wide temperature range. Our models employ neural networks and are trained on density functional theory (DFT) data. Unlike other ML models that use DFT data, our models directly predict the local density of states (LDOS) of the electronic structure. This provides several advantages, including access to multiple observables such as the electronic density and electronic total free energy. Moreover, our models account for both the electronic and ionic temperatures independently, making them ideal for applications like laser-heating of matter. We validate the efficacy of our LDOS-based models on a metallic test system. They accurately capture energetic effects induced by variations in ionic and electronic temperatures over a broad temperature range, even when trained on a subset of these temperatures. These findings open up exciting opportunities for investigating the electronic structure of materials under both ambient and extreme conditions.