The phase stability and electronic properties in Al 3 Ta compound are studied using the FP-LAPW method. In this approach, the generalized gradient approximation (GGA) is used for the exchange-correlation potential calculation. The total energy calculations show that the D 022 structure is more stable than that of D 023 and L1 2. The densities of states exhibit a pseudo gap near the Fermi level for all considered structures. By analyzing the electronic charge density we find a build-up of electrons in the interstitial region, and the bonds are directed from the Ta atoms to the Al atoms, which is the characteristic of covalent bonding. The temperature and pressure effects on the structural parameters, Debye temperature, Grüneisen parameter, heat capacities (Cv, Cp) and thermal expansion are predicted through the quasi-harmonic Debye model.

First-principles calculations are performed to study the structural, electronic, thermodynamic and thermal properties of the InP and InAs bulk materials and InAs x P 1-x ternary alloys using the full potential-linearized augmented plane wave method (FP-LAPW) within the density functional theory (DFT). The dependence of the lattice constant, bulk modulus, band gap, Debye temperature, heat capacity and mixing entropy on the composition x was analyzed. The lattice constant for InAs x P 1-x alloys exhibits a marginal deviation from the Vegard's law. A large deviation of the bulk modulus from linear concentration dependence (LCD) was observed for our alloys. We found that the composition dependence of the energy band gap is almost linear by using the mBJ and EV-GGA approximations. The microscopic origins of the gap bowing were explained and detailed by using the approach of Zunger and co-workers. Furthermore, the calculated phase diagram shows a miscibility gap for these alloys with a high critical temperature. Thermal effects on some macroscopic properties of InAs x P 1-x alloys are predicted using the quasi-harmonic Debye model, in which the phononic effects are considered. This is the first quantitative theoretical prediction of the thermal properties of the InAs x P 1-x alloys, and we still expect the confirmation of experimental studies.

The mechanical, electronic and thermodynamic properties of Pd3M (M[Formula: see text]=[Formula: see text]Sc, Y) compounds have been investigated using the Full Potential Linearized Augmented Plane Wave (FP-LAPW) formalism. The generalized gradient approximation (GGA) is used to treat the exchange–correlation terms. The calculated formation enthalpies and the cohesive energies reveal that the L12 structure is more stable than the D0[Formula: see text] one. The obtained lattice parameters and bulk modulus calculations conform well to the available experimental and theoretical results. The elastic and mechanical properties are analyzed and results show that both compounds are ductile in nature. The Debye temperature and melting temperature are also estimated and are in a good agreement with experimental findings. The total and partial densities of states are determined for L12 and D0[Formula: see text] structures. The density of states at the Fermi level, [Formula: see text]([Formula: see text]), indicates electronic stability for both compounds. The presence of the pseudo-gap near the Fermi level is suggestive of formation of directional covalent bonding. The number of bonding electrons per atom [Formula: see text] and the electronic specific heat coefficient [Formula: see text] are also determined. The quasi-harmonic Debye model has been used to explore the temperature and pressure effects on the thermodynamic properties for both compounds.

First-principles calculations of the structural, electronic, optical and thermal properties of chalcopyrite CuXTe2 (X[Formula: see text]=[Formula: see text]Al, Ga, In) have been performed within density functional theory using the full-potential linearized augmented plane wave (FP-LAPW) method, by employing for the exchange and correlation potential the approximations WC-GGA and mBJ-GGA. The effect of X cations replacement on the structural, electronic band structure, density of states and optical properties were highlighted and explained. Our results are in good agreement with the previous theoretical and experimental data. As far as we know, for the first time we find the effects of temperature and pressure on thermal parameters of CuAlTe2 and CuGaTe2 compounds. Thermal properties are very useful for optimizing crystal growth, and predict photovoltaic applications on extreme thermodynamic conditions.

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The structural, electronic, elastic, thermal and thermodynamic properties of Zn1−xBexTe semiconductor alloys have been investigated using the full-potential linearized augmented plane wave method within density functional theory. We use both the Wu–Cohen and the Engel–Vosko generalized gradient approximations of the exchange-correlation energy that are based on the optimization of the total energy and the corresponding potential, respectively. The ground state properties such as lattice constants, bulk modulus and elastic constants are in good agreement with numerous experimental and theoretical data. The calculated band structures show that the band gap undergoes a direct to indirect transition at a given concentration. A regular-solution model is used to investigate the thermodynamic stability of the alloy that mainly indicates a phase miscibility gap. In addition, the quasi-harmonic Debye model is applied to determine the thermal properties of the alloy.

We report here the use of the green upconversion emissions originating from the thermally coupled levels (2)H(11/2) and (4)S(3/2) of the Er(3+) ion in CaF(2):Er (0.01 at.%) for thermometry application in the range 303-423 K. The mechanism responsible for excitation of the green emitting levels is a sequential two-photon absorption process. The fluorescence intensity ratio (FIR) of the green upconversion emissions at wavelengths of about 519 and 551 nm is studied as a function of temperature in the range 303-423 K using a 634 nm tunable dye laser as an excitation source. It is found that the logarithm of the FIR varies linearly with the inverse of temperature. The gap between the two thermally coupled levels (4)S(3/2) and (2)H(11/2) was determined to be about 721 cm(-1). This value is in good agreement with that found by spectroscopic investigations. The calibration curve is established, and the temperature is calculated.

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