Arthur Russakoff

Coverage dependent work function of graphene on a Cu(111) substrate with intercalated alkali metals

Using first-principles calculations, it is shown that the work function of graphene on copper can be adjusted by varying the concentration of intercalated alkali metals. Using density functional theory, we calculate the modulation of work function when Li, Na, or K are intercalated between graphene and a Cu(111) surface. The physical origins of the change in work function are explained in terms of phenomenological models accounting for the formation and depolarization of interfacial dipoles and the shift in the Fermi-level induced via charge transfer.

Accurate time propagation method for the coupled Maxwell and Kohn-Sham equations

An accurate method for time propagation of the coupled Maxwell and time-dependent Kohn-Sham (TDKS) equation is presented. The new approach uses a simultaneous fourth-order Runge-Kutta-based propagation of the vector potential and the Kohn-Sham orbitals. The approach is compared to the conventional fourth-order Taylor propagation and predictor-corrector methods. The calculations show several computational and numerical advantages, including higher computational performance, greater stability, better accuracy, and faster convergence.

Time-dependent density-functional theory simulation of local currents in pristine and single-defect zigzag graphene nanoribbons

The spatial current distribution in H-terminated zigzag graphene nanoribbons (ZGNRs) under electrical bias is investigated using time-dependent density-functional theory solved on a real-space grid. A projected complex absorbing potential is used to minimize the effect of reflection at simulation cell boundary. The calculations show that the current flows mainly along the edge atoms in the hydrogen terminated pristine ZGNRs. When a vacancy is introduced to the ZGNRs, loop currents emerge at the ribbon edge due to electrons hopping between carbon atoms of the same sublattice. The loop currents hinder the flow of the edge current, explaining the poor electric conductance observed in recent experiments.

Accuracy and computational efficiency of real-time subspace propagation schemes for the time-dependent density functional theory

Time-dependent Density Functional Theory (TDDFT) has become successful for its balance of economy and accuracy. However, the application of TDDFT to large systems or long time scales remains computationally prohibitively expensive. In this paper, we investigate the numerical stability and accuracy of two subspace propagation methods to solve the time-dependent Kohn-Sham equations with finite and periodic boundary conditions. The bases considered are the Lánczos basis and the adiabatic eigenbasis. The results are compared to a benchmark fourth-order Taylor expansion of the time propagator. Our results show that it is possible to use larger time steps with the subspace methods, leading to computational speedups by a factor of 2-3 over Taylor propagation. Accuracy is found to be maintained for certain energy regimes and small time scales.

Enhanced ionization of acetylene in intense laser pulses is due to energy upshift and field coupling of multiple orbitals

Laser-ionization of molecules is one of the most important processes in the strong-field and attosecond sciences. One of the key mechanisms governing molecular ionization is enhanced ionization, where for diatomic molecules the ionization probability becomes strongly enhanced at a critical internuclear distance [1, 2]. Experiments on polytatomic molecules have revealed remarkably high charge states and indicated the existence of a different ionization-enhancement mechanism [3-5]. However, until now this mechanism has not been fully understood and has been a subject of intense debate.

Ab-initio simulation of the ionization and fragmentation of acetylene by strong femtosecond laser pulses

The electron and nuclear dynamics of acetylene when interacting with strong short laser pulses has been simulated in the framework of real-space Time Dependent Density Functional Theory (TDDFT) and molecular dynamics. The stretching and dissociation of individual bonds are reported, and are shown to depend on the laser field intensity and orientation relative to the laser polarization. The ionization dynamics, including ionization from individual Kohn-Sham orbitals, is also reported. The orbital ionization dynamics are shown to vary with an increase in the intensity of the laser field.

Interaction of electromagnetic fields and atomic clusters

In the framework of real-time real-space time-dependent density functional theory complemented with Ehrenfest molecular dynamics we have studied the response of nanostructures to intense femtosecond laser pulses. Examples of applications include laser desorption of hydrogen from graphene and Coulomb explosion of hydrocarbon molecules.