Comparative first-principles calculations of the electronic, optical, elastic and thermodynamic properties of XCaF3 (X = K, Rb, Cs) cubic perovskites

Abstract

Three fluoroperovskites with the general formula XCaF3 (X = K, Rb, Cs) have been systematically studied using the first-principles methods. The structural, electronic, optical, elastic and thermodynamic properties of these three compounds were calculated at the ambient and elevated hydrostatic pressure. Variation of all these properties with pressure was analyzed; it was shown that the structural and elastic constants change linearly with increased pressure, whereas the calculated band gaps follow the quadratic dependence on pressure. Influence of the first cation variation (K – Rb – Cs) on these properties was discussed. Elastic anisotropy (directional dependence of the Young moduli) of these compounds was modeled and analyzed for the first time.