Multiscale Modeling of Materials - Concepts and Illustration

Abstract

The approximate representation of a quantum solid as an equivalent composite semi-classical solid is considered for insulating materials. The composite is comprised of point ions moving on a potential energy surface. In the classical bulk domain this potential energy is represented by pair potentials constructed to give the same structure and elastic properties as the underlying quantum solid. In a small local quantum domain the potential is determined from a detailed quantum calculation of the electronic structure. The primary new ingredients are 1) a determination of the pair potential from quantum data for equilibrium and strained structures, 2) development of pseudo-atoms for a realistic treatment of charge densities where bonds have been broken to define the quantum domain, and 3) inclusion of polarization effects on the quantum domain due to its environment. This formal structure is illustrated in detail for an silica nanorod. For each configuration considered, the charge density of the entire solid is calculated quantum mechanically to provide the reference by which to judge the accuracy of the modeling.It is then shown that the quantum rod, the rod constructed from the classical pair potentials, and the composite classical/quantum rod all have the same equilibrium structure and response to elastic strain. The accuracy of the modeling is shown to apply for two quite different quantum chemical methods for the underlying quantum mechanics: transfer Hamiltonian and density functional methods.