Band parameters of α-LiBeN semiconductor from density functional calculations

Abstract

The structural, elastic, electronic, optical and thermal properties of α phase in LiBeN semiconductor have been studied using pseudo-potential plane wave method based on the density functional theory. The computed lattice parameter agrees well with previous theoretical work. The elastic constants and their pressure dependence are predicted using the static finite strain technique. A set of isotropic elastic parameters and related properties, namely bulk and shear moduli, Young’s modulus, Poisson’s ratio, average sound velocity and Debye temperature are numerically estimated in the frame work of the Voigt–Reuss–Hill approximation for α-LiBeN polycrystalline aggregate. The assignments of the structures in the optical spectra and band structure transitions have been examined and discussed. The thermal effect on heat capacities is investigated by the quasi-harmonic Debye model. To the best of our knowledge, most of the studied properties of the material of interest are reported for the first time.