This article describes recent technical developments that have made the total-energy pseudopotential the most powerful ah initio quantum-mechanical modeling method presently available. In addition to presenting technical details of the pseudopotential method, the article aims to heighten awareness of the capabilities of the method in order to stimulate its application to as wide a range of problems in as many scientific

Using self-resonant coils in a strongly coupled regime, we experimentally demonstrated efficient nonradiative power transfer over distances up to 8 times the radius of the coils. We were able to transfer 60 watts with approximately 40% efficiency over distances in excess of 2 meters. We present a quantitative model describing the power transfer, which matches the experimental results to within 5%. We discuss the practical applicability of this system and suggest directions for further study.

CES using a square lattice of magnetized ferrite rods that localize a unidirectional

We describe a fully-vectorial, three-dimensional algorithm to compute the definite-frequency eigenstates of Maxwell's equations in arbitrary periodic dielectric structures, including systems with anisotropy (birefringence) or magnetic materials, using preconditioned block-iterative eigensolvers in a planewave basis. Favorable scaling with the system size and the number of computed bands is exhibited. We propose a new effective dielectric tensor for anisotropic structures, and demonstrate that O Delta x;2 convergence can be achieved even in systems with sharp material discontinuities. We show how it is possible to solve for interior eigenvalues, such as localized defect modes, without computing the many underlying eigenstates. Preconditioned conjugate-gradient Rayleigh-quotient minimization is compared with the Davidson method for eigensolution, and a number of iteration variants and preconditioners are characterized. Our implementation is freely available on the Web.

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Bound states in the continuum are waves that, defying conventional wisdom, remain localized even though they coexist with a continuous spectrum of radiating waves that can carry energy away. Their existence was first proposed in quantum mechanics and, being a general wave phenomenon, later identified in electromagnetic, acoustic, and water waves. They have been studied in a wide variety of material systems such as photonic crystals, optical waveguides and fibers, piezoelectric materials, quantum dots, graphene, and topological insulators. This Review describes recent developments in this field with an emphasis on the physical mechanisms that lead to these unusual states across the seemingly very different platforms. We discuss recent experimental realizations, existing applications, and directions for future work.

This paper describes Meep, a popular free implementation of the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method for simulating electromagnetism. In particular, we focus on aspects of implementing a full-featured FDTD package that go beyond standard textbook descriptions of the algorithm, or ways in which Meep differs from typical FDTD implementations. These include pervasive interpolation and accurate modeling of subpixel features, advanced signal processing, support for nonlinear materials via Padé approximants, and flexible scripting capabilities. PACS

A study of the average voltage to intercalate lithium in various metal oxides is presented. By combining the ab initio pseudopotential method with basic thermodynamics the average intercalation voltage can be predicted without the need for experimental data. This procedure is used to systematically study the effect of metal chemistry, anion chemistry, and structure. It is found that Li is fully ionized in the intercalated compounds with its charge transferred to the anion and to the metal. The substantial charge transfer to the anion is responsible for the large voltage difference between oxides, sulfides, and selenides. Ionic relaxation, as a result of Li intercalation, causes nonrigid-band effects in the density of states of these materials. Suggestions for compounds that may have a substantially larger voltage than currently used materials are also presented.