Ab initio two-dimensional multiband low-energy models of EtMe_3Sb[Pd(dmit)_2]_2 and \kappa-(BEDT-TTF)_2Cu(NCS)_2 with comparisons to single-band models

We present ab initio two-dimensional extended Hubbard-type multiband models for EtMe_3Sb[Pd(dmit)_2]_2 and \kappa-(BEDT-TTF)_2Cu(NCS)_2, after a downfolding scheme based on the constrained random phase approximation (cRPA) and maximally-localized Wannier orbitals, together with the dimensional downfolding. In the Pd(dmit)_2 salt, the antibonding state of the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) and the bonding/antibonding states of the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) are considered as the orbital degrees of freedom, while, in the \kappa-BEDT-TTF salt, the HOMO-antibonding/bonding states are considered. Accordingly, a three-band model for the Pd(dmit)_2 salt and a two-band model for the \kappa-(BEDT-TTF) salt are derived. We derive single band models for the HOMO-antibonding state for both of the compounds as well.Comment: 10 pages, 9 figures, 3 tables; submitted to Physical Review

Analysis of the Scanning Tunneling Microscopy Images of the Charge Density Wave Phase in Quasi-one-dimensional Rb0.3MoO3

The experimental STM images for the CDW phase of the blue bronze RbMoO3 have been successfully explained on the basis of first-principles DFT calculations. Although the density of states near the Fermi level strongly concentrates in two of the three types of Mo atoms Mo-II and Mo-III, the STM measurement mostly probes the contribution of the uppermost O atoms of the surface, associated with the Mo-IO6 octahedra. In addition, it is found that the surface concentration of Rb atoms plays a key role in determining the surface nesting vector and hence the periodicity of the CDW modulation. Significant experimental inhomogeneities of the b* surface component of the wavevector of the modulation, probed by STM, are reported. The calculated changes in the surface nesting vector are consistent with the observed experimental inhomogeneities.Comment: 4 pages 5 Figure

First-principles characterization of the electronic structure of the molecular superconductor beta-(BEDT-TTF)2IBr2

The electronic structure of the molecular superconductor β−(BEDT−TTF)2IBr2 has been studied by means of first-principles density functional calculations. The calculated transverse cross section of the Fermi surface is in excellent agreement with that reconstructed from magnetoresistance measurements. It is shown that the cylindrical Fermi surface exhibits warping (the dispersion along the interlayer direction is of the order of 0.8–1.7 % of the dispersion in the conducting plane) and that it does not contain any additional small pocket. These features provide support for a recent proposal concerning the much debated question of the origin of the slow magnetoresistance oscillations exhibited by this material.Peer reviewe

Conducting mixed-valence salt of bis(ethylenedithio)tetrathiafulvalene (BEDT-TTF) with the paramagnetic heteroleptic anion [CrIII(oxalate)2(2,2′-bipyridine)](-)

The synthesis and crystal structure of the first tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) based radical cation salt containing the heteroleptic paramagnetic anion [CrIII(2,2′-bipy)(C2O4)2]− are reported. In the salt formulated as α′-(BEDT-TTF)2[Cr(C2O4)2(2,2′-bipy)]·CHCl2CH2Cl according to the single-crystal X-ray structure, the BEDT-TTF (bis(ethylenedithio)tetrathiafulvalene) donors are in a mixed valence state and form two types of uniform chains within organic layers. Two overlap modes are observed in these chains, which are canted with respect to the stacking direction, leading to a peculiar α′ packing mode. The anions organize in supramolecular chains sustained by π–π interactions between the bipyridine units. The magnetic behavior of the compound follows a Curie–Weiss law, with a magnetic contribution arising from both cationic and anionic counterparts. Single-crystal electrical transport measurements are in agreement with a semiconductor behavior and have been correlated with extended Hückel tight-binding calculations

Pressure dependence of the Shubnikov-de Haas oscillation pectrum of beta''-(BEDT-TTF)4(NH4)[Cr(C2O4)3].DMF

The Shubnikov-de Haas (SdH) oscillation spectra of the beta''-(BEDT-TTF)4(NH4)[Cr(C2O4)\_3].DMF organic metal have been studied in pulsed magnetic fields of up to either 36 T at ambient pressure or 50 T under hydrostatic pressures of up to 1 GPa. The ambient pressure SdH oscillation spectra can be accounted for by up to six fundamental frequencies which points to a rather complex Fermi surface (FS). A noticeable pressure-induced modification of the FS topology is evidenced since the number of frequencies observed in the spectra progressively decreases as the pressure increases. Above 0.8 GPa, only three compensated orbits are observed, as it is the case for several other isostructural salts of the same family at ambient pressure. Contrary to other organic metals, of which the FS can be regarded as a network of orbits, no frequency combinations are observed for the studied salt, likely due to high magnetic breakdown gap values or (and) high disorder level evidenced by Dingle temperatures as large as about 7 K.Comment: To be published in European Physical Journal

Modulating the Framework Negative Charge Density in the System [BDT−TTP•+]/[Re6S5Cl91-]/[Re6(S/Se)6Cl82-]/[Re6S7Cl73-]

A series of 2D metals, β-(BDT-TTP)6[Re6Se6Cl8]·(CHCl2−CHCl2)2, 2; β-(ST-TTP)6[Re6S6Cl8]·(CH2Cl−CHCl2)2, 3; β-(BDT-TTP)7[Re6S6Cl8]0.5[Re6S7Cl7]0.5·(CH2Cl2), 4; β-(BDT-TTP)7[Re6Se6Cl8]0.5[Re6S7Cl7]0.5·(CH2Cl2), 5; β-(BDT-TTP)8[Re6S7Cl7]·(CH2Cl2)4, 6 (BDT-TTP and ST-TTP are 2,5-bis(1,3-dithiol-2-ylidene)-1,3,4,6-tetrathiapentalene and 2-(1,3-diselenol-2-ylidene)-5(1,3-dithiol-2-ylidene)-1,3,4,6-tetrathiapentalene, respectively) is reported to have one single β-slab layered topology despite successive increases of the cluster anion negative charge. The charge density within the templating composite inorganic−neutral molecule slab is shown to remain above a threshold of ca. one negative charge per square nanometer, that is, for cluster anions with two negative charges and higher. Conversely, discrete stacks are shown to be stabilized instead in the semiconducting salts (BDT-TTP)2[Re6S5Cl9], 1 where the cluster anion bears one negative charge only. The electronic structure of salts 2−6 is shown to be very stable and kept almost intact across the series. The templating strategy is shown to fulfill its anticipated potential for deliberate installment of incommensurate band fillings in molecular metals. The deliberate admixture of the 6:1 and 8:1 structures yields novel phases with a 7:1 stoichiometry with the anticipated crystal and electronic structures. The action at the organic−inorganic interface triggered by changing the anion charge yet keeping its shape and volume identical, which ultimately governs the shape of the unit cell, is of paramount importance in defining the Fermi surface of these metallic salts. The present BDT-TTP salts thus provide a series of materials with strongly related but subtly different Fermi surfaces worthy of many physical studies. Shubnikov−de Haas measurements are expected to be particularly interesting since they are especially sensitive to the details of the Fermi surface

Characterization of the unoccupied and partially occupied states of TTF-TCNQ by XANES and first-principles calculations

We report a combined experimental and theoretical study of the unoccupied electronic states of the neutral molecular organic materials TTF (tetrathiafulvalene) and TCNQ (7,7,8,8-tetracyano-p-quinodimethane) and of the one-dimensional metallic charge transfer salt TTF-TCNQ. The experimental density of states (DOS) is obtained by x-ray absorption near edge spectroscopy (XANES) with synchrotron light and the predicted DOS by means of first-principles density functional theory calculations. Most of the experimentally derived element-specific XANES features can be associated to molecular orbitals of defined symmetry. Because of the planar geometry of the TTF and TCNQ molecules and the polarization of the synchrotron light, the energy dependent σ or π character of the orbitals can be inferred from angular dependent XANES measurements. The present work represents the state of the art analysis of the XANES spectra of this type of materials and points out the need for additional work in order to elucidate the governing selection rules in the excitation process.Peer reviewe

Gearing motion in cogwheel pairs of molecular rotors: weak-coupling limit

Variable-​temp. (VT) crystal structures, VT 1H spin-​lattice relaxation in static crystals, and DFT modeling of the rotational barriers of BCP rotators in cryst. arrays of a rod-​like mol. contg. two 1,​3-​bis(ethynyl)​bicyclo[1.1.1]​pentane (BCP) units demonstrate that a correlated gearing motion occurs in the limit of a weak coupling between two rotors in a pair

Indication for the coexistence of closed orbit and quantum interferometer with the same cross section in the organic metal (ET)4(H3O)[Fe(C2O4)3].C6H4Cl2: Persistence of SdH oscillations above 30 K

Shubnikov-de Haas (SdH) and de Haas-van Alphen (dHvA) oscillations spectra of the quasi-two dimensional charge transfer salt $\beta$"-(ET)$_4$(H$_3$O)[Fe(C$_2$O$_4$)$_3$]$\cdot$C$_6$H$_4$Cl$_2$ have been investigated in pulsed magnetic fields up to 54 T. The data reveal three basic frequencies F$_a$, F$_b$ and F$_{b - a}$, which can be interpreted on the basis of three compensated closed orbits at low temperature. However a very weak thermal damping of the Fourier component F$_b$, with the highest amplitude, is evidenced for SdH spectra above about 6 K. As a result, magnetoresistance oscillations are observed at temperatures higher than 30 K. This feature, which is not observed for dHvA oscillations, is in line with quantum interference, pointing to a Fermi surface reconstruction in this compound.Comment: published in Eur. Phys. J. B 71 203 (2009