Collective ionic dynamics in the liquid Na-Cs alloy: an ab initio molecular dynamics study

Exploring Challenging Properties of Liquid Metallic Systems through Machine Learning: Liquid La and Li4Pb Systems

In this machine learning (ML) study, we delved into the unique properties of liquid lanthanum and the Li4Pb alloy, revealing some unexpected features and also firmly establishing some of the debated characteristics. Leveraging interatomic potentials derived from ab initio calculations, our investigation achieved a level of precision comparable to first-principles methods while at the same time entering the hydrodynamic regime. We compared the structure factors and pair distribution functions to experimental data and unearthed distinctive collective excitations with intriguing features. Liquid lanthanum unveiled two transverse collective excitation branches, each closely tied to specific peaks in the velocity autocorrelation function spectrum. Furthermore, the analysis of the generalized specific heat ratio in the hydrodynamic regime investigated with the ML molecular dynamics simulations uncovered a peculiar behavior, impossible to discern with only ab initio simulations. Liquid Li4Pb, on the other hand, challenged existing claims by showcasing a rich array of branches in its longitudinal dispersion relation, including a high-frequency LiLi mode with a nonhydrodynamic optical character that maintains a finite value as q → 0. Additionally, we conducted an in-depth analysis of various transport coefficients, expanding our understanding of these liquid metallic systems. In summary, our ML approach yielded precise results, offering new and captivating insights into the structural and dynamic aspects of these materials.

Orbital-Free Density Functional Theory: An Attractive Electronic Structure Method for Large-Scale First-Principles Simulations

Kohn-Sham Density Functional Theory (KSDFT) is the most widely used electronic structure method in chemistry, physics, and materials science, with thousands of calculations cited annually. This ubiquity is rooted in the favorable accuracy vs cost balance of KSDFT. Nonetheless, the ambitions and expectations of researchers for use of KSDFT in predictive simulations of large, complicated molecular systems are confronted with an intrinsic computational cost-scaling challenge. Particularly evident in the context of first-principles molecular dynamics, the challenge is the high cost-scaling associated with the computation of the Kohn-Sham orbitals. Orbital-free DFT (OFDFT), as the name suggests, circumvents entirely the explicit use of those orbitals. Without them, the structural and algorithmic complexity of KSDFT simplifies dramatically and near-linear scaling with system size irrespective of system state is achievable. Thus, much larger system sizes and longer simulation time scales (compared to conventional KSDFT) become accessible; hence, new chemical phenomena and new materials can be explored. In this review, we introduce the historical contexts of OFDFT, its theoretical basis, and the challenge of realizing its promise via approximate kinetic energy density functionals (KEDFs). We review recent progress on that challenge for an array of KEDFs, such as one-point, two-point, and machine-learnt, as well as some less explored forms. We emphasize use of exact constraints and the inevitability of design choices. Then, we survey the associated numerical techniques and implemented algorithms specific to OFDFT. We conclude with an illustrative sample of applications to showcase the power of OFDFT in materials science, chemistry, and physics.

Pressure-induced changes in structural and dynamic properties of liquid Fe close to the melting line. An ab initio study

The static and dynamic properties of liquid Fe at high pressure and temperature have been studied using an ab initio molecular dynamics method. We have focused on four thermodynamic states at pressures of 27, 42, 50 and 58 GPa for which x-ray scattering data are available. The calculated static structure shows very good agreement with the available experimental data, including an asymmetric second peak which becomes more marked with increasing pressure. The dynamical structure reveals the existence of propagating density fluctuations and the associated dispersion relation has also been determined. The relaxation mechanisms for the density fluctuations have been analyzed in terms of a model with two decay channels (fast and slow, respectively). We found that the thermal relaxation proceeds along the slow decaying channel whereas the fast one is that of the viscoelastic relaxation. The possible coupling between longitudinal and transverse excitation modes has been investigated by looking at specific signatures in two wavevector regions: the first one is located around the position of the main peak of the structure factor, qp, as suggested by the recently reported appearance of high frequency transverse waves in liquid Li under high pressures; the second region is around qp/2, as suggested by the recent finding of transverse acoustic modes in inelastic x-ray scattering intensities of liquid Fe at ambient pressure. Finally, results are also reported for several transport coefficients.

An ab initio study of the structure and dynamics of bulk liquid Cd and its liquid-vapor interface

Several static and dynamic properties of bulk liquid Cd at a thermodynamic state near its triple point have been calculated by means of ab initio molecular dynamics simulations. The calculated static structure shows a very good agreement with the available experimental data. The dynamical structure reveals collective density excitations with an associated dispersion relation which points to a small positive dispersion. Results are also reported for several transport coefficients. Additional simulations have also been performed at a slightly higher temperature in order to study the structure of the free liquid surface. The ionic density profile shows an oscillatory behavior with two different wavelengths, as the spacing between the outer and first inner layer is different from that between the other inner layers. The calculated reflectivity shows a marked maximum whose origin is related to the surface layering, along with a shoulder located at a much smaller wavevector transfer.

Static, dynamic and electronic properties of expanded fluid mercury in the metal-nonmetal transition range. An ab initio study

Fluid Hg undergoes a metal-nonmetal (M-NM) transition when expanded toward a density of around 9 g cm(-3). We have performed ab initio molecular dynamics simulations for several thermodynamic states around the M-NM transition range and the associated static, dynamic and electronic properties have been analyzed. The calculated static structure shows a good agreement with the available experimental data. It is found that the volume expansion decreases the number of nearest neighbors from 10 (near the triple point) to around 8 at the M-NM transition region. Moreover, these neighbors are arranged into two subshells and the decrease in the number of neighbors occurs in the inner subshell. The calculated dynamic structure factors agree fairly well with their experimental counterparts obtained by inelastic x-ray scattering experiments, which display inelastic side peaks. The derived dispersion relation exhibits some positive dispersion for all the states, although its value around the M-NM transition region is not as marked as suggested by the experiment. We have also calculated the electronic density of states, which shows the appearance of a gap at a density of around 8.3 g cm(-3).

Structural and dynamical properties of liquid Mg. An orbital-free molecular dynamics study

Several static and dynamic properties of liquid magnesium near melting have been evaluated by the orbital-free ab initio molecular dynamics method. The calculated static structure shows good agreement with recent experimental data, including an asymmetric second peak in the structure factor which has been linked to the existence of an important icosahedral short-range order in the liquid. As for the dynamic structure, we obtain collective density excitations with an associated dispersion relation which closely follows recent experimental results. Accurate estimates have also been obtained for several transport coefficients.

Anomalous size dependence in the melting temperatures of free sodium clusters: an explanation for the calorimetry experiments

The meltinglike transition in unsupported Na(N) clusters (N = 55, 92, 147, 181, 189, 215, 249, 271, 281 and 299) is studied by first-principles isokinetic molecular dynamics simulations. The irregular size dependence of the melting temperatures Tm observed in the calorimetry experiments of Schmidt et al. [Nature (London) 393, 238 (1998)] is quantitatively reproduced. We demonstrate that structural effects alone can explain all broad features of experimental observations. Specifically, maxima in Tm(N) correlate with high surface stability and with structural features such as a high compactness degree.

Liquid-vapor interface in liquid binary alloys: an ab initio molecular dynamics study

We report the results of an ab initio molecular dynamics simulation of the liquid-vapor interface of two binary liquid alloys, Na(0.3)K(0.7) and Li(0.4)Na(0.6), whose bulk behavior exhibits rather differing ordering tendencies. The study has been performed using samples of 2000 and 3000 particles, respectively, in a slab geometry with periodic boundary conditions. In both cases, the total ionic density distributions along the normal to the interface display some layering with a virtually pure monolayer of the lower surface tension component located outermost at the interface. However, the two systems behave very differently below the interface which can be accounted for by their different ordering tendencies in the bulk.

Microscopic dynamics in the liquid Li-Na alloy: an ab initio molecular dynamics study

We present results for several structural and dynamical properties of the liquid Li(1-x)Na(x) alloy. The study has been carried out by means of the orbital-free ab initio molecular dynamics method, combined with local ionic pseudopotentials constructed within the same framework. We obtain good agreement with the available experimental data, reproducing accurately, the strong homocoordinating tendencies exhibited by this alloy. The calculated partial dynamic structure factors exhibit clear side peaks whose frequencies, for q<or=0.25 A(-1), correspond to the hydrodynamic sound dispersion of the binary alloy, whereas for larger q values fast and slow sound modes are identified. The mass ratio in this system, m(Na)/m(Li) approximately 3, is the smallest one so far for which the fast mode is observed.