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<p>Using field theoretical methods models of strongly correlated electrons have been investigated. Application to electronic structure calculations has been made.</p><p>In this thesis an attempt is made to build a bridge between first-principle band structure calculations and a theory of systems with strongly correlated electrons, by making use of perturbation theory from the atomic limit. Analyzing the total non-relativistic Hamiltonian leads to the basic model of strongly correlated systems, the Hubbard-Anderson model. In this thesis these basic models have been tested. Conclusions on delocalization and many-body aspects have been extracted from the solutions. Specifically for the lanthanides a separation of the f-system into two subsystems has resolved the discrepancy between calculated equilibrium volumes and experimental ones. The calculations are done within the Hubbard-I approximation, where it is possible to define renormalized fermion operators. The calculation is a true many-body calculation.</p><p>Using perturbation theory a set of self consistent equations has been formulated, and solved, for praseodymium metal using the periodical Anderson model. The solution shows a self consistent decrease of the Hubbard U, and delocalization of the f-shell, when crucial parameters of the model are changed. The most salient feature of the models for strongly correlated electrons is the transfer of spectral weight from one energy region to another by adjusting pressure or other external parameters. The effects come from kinematic interactions that are important for strongly correlated systems.</p><p>Investigations of the degenerate Hubbard model applied to the metal to insulator transition has also been made. When the degeneracy is considered, the transition to the metallic state occurs at smaller Coulomb energies. </p><p>The validity of the Fermi liquid description for strongly correlated electrons has also been studied. The results show that the general behavior of the Fermi liquid state is quite robust.</p>

Using field theoretical methods models of strongly correlated electrons have been investigated. Application to electronic structure calculations has been made. In this thesis an attempt is made to build a bridge between first-principle band structure calculations and a theory of systems with strongly correlated electrons, by making use of perturbation theory from the atomic limit. Analyzing the total non-relativistic Hamiltonian leads to the basic model of strongly correlated systems, the Hubbard-Anderson model. In this thesis these basic models have been tested. Conclusions on delocalization and many-body aspects have been extracted from the solutions. Specifically for the lanthanides a separation of the f-system into two subsystems has resolved the discrepancy between calculated equilibrium volumes and experimental ones. The calculations are done within the Hubbard-I approximation, where it is possible to define renormalized fermion operators. The calculation is a true many-body calculation. Using perturbation theory a set of self consistent equations has been formulated, and solved, for praseodymium metal using the periodical Anderson model. The solution shows a self consistent decrease of the Hubbard U, and delocalization of the f-shell, when crucial parameters of the model are changed. The most salient feature of the models for strongly correlated electrons is the transfer of spectral weight from one energy region to another by adjusting pressure or other external parameters. The effects come from kinematic interactions that are important for strongly correlated systems. Investigations of the degenerate Hubbard model applied to the metal to insulator transition has also been made. When the degeneracy is considered, the transition to the metallic state occurs at smaller Coulomb energies. The validity of the Fermi liquid description for strongly correlated electrons has also been studied. The results show that the general behavior of the Fermi liquid state is quite robust.

Intermolecular potential energy functions for CO2 have been developed from first principles for use in heterogeneous systems, including one with explicit polarization. The intermolecular potentials have been expressed in a transferable form and parameterized from nearly exact electronic structure calculations. Models with and without explicit many-body polarization effects, known to be important in simulation of interfacial processes, are constructed. The models have been validated on pressure-density isotherms of bulk CO2 and adsorption in three metal-organic framework (MOF) materials. The present models appear to offer advantages over high quality fluid/liquid state potentials in describing CO2 interactions in interfacial environments where sorbates adopt orientations not commonly explored in bulk fluids. Thus, the nonpolar CO2-PHAST and polarizable CO2-PHAST* potentials are recommended for materials/interfacial simulations.

In electronic structure calculations the computational cost is of great importance because large systems can contain a huge number of electrons. One effective method to make such calculations is by density matrix purification. Although, the cost for this method is relatively low compared to other existing methods there is room for improvements. In this paper one method proposed by Emanuel Rubensson and one method proposed by Jaehoon Kim &amp; Yousung Jung was compared to each other with respect to efficiency, simplicity and robustness. Both are improved methods to compute the density matrix by accelerated polynomial expansion. Rubensson’s method consists of two different algorithms and results showed that both performed better than Kim &amp; Jung’s method in terms of efficiency, which is the property both methods directs their main focus on. The major differences between them was identified in terms of adaptivity. The methods require different inputs that demands separate levels of knowledge about the system. Kim &amp; Jung’s method which require less knowledge can however benefit efficiency-wise from more information in order to optimize the algorithm for the system. Results also showed that both methods were stable, but since they only were tested with arbitrarily assumed input arguments no conclusion about their general stability could be drawn.

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Thermoelectric semiconductors can convert temperature differences into electricity or electricity into temperature differences. This offers great potential for the use of wasted heat or cooling. These materials can be used in a variety of fields, from healthcare to space exploration. The effectiveness of the materials is evaluated by their thermoelectric properties such as the Seebeck coefficient, electrical conductivity, and thermal conductivity. The aim of this PhD thesis is to investigate the electronic structure using first-principle methods for potential thermoelectric applications. Materials of interest include Copper and Tin based ternary /quaternary compounds, and monolayers of SnS2, SnSe2 and Janus SnSSe. Density functional theory, ab initio molecular dynamics and Boltzmann transport theory are used to study the electronic and phonon transport properties. In the first part of the thesis, electronic structure calculations were performed on both monoclinic and disordered cubic forms of Cu2SnS3(CTS). The impact of structural disorder on thermoelectric properties was examined through these simulations. The results, obtained through first-principle calculations, revealed the existence of band tails in the electronic density of states for the disordered structure, and low-lying optical modes in the disordered cubic structure. This was found to be caused by a significant variation in Sn bonding, leading to strong anharmonicity as measured by the Grüneisen parameter. The findings from the first principle calculations were supported by Nuclear inelastic scattering experiments. Furthermore, the effect of grain size on Cu2SnS3 was studied using first-principles calculations on various ordered and disordered surfaces. The density of states (DOS) revealed that the surface of CTS is conductive due to the presence of dangling bonds. Furthermore, calculations of the formation energy showed that the stoichiometric CTS, Cu-vacant and Cu-rich systems are energetically more favourable, while the formation of Sn-vacant and Sn-rich systems is less likely. In the subsequent study, the impact of Ag substitution at the Sn site at various concentrations was investigated. The Fermi level for Ag-substituted systems was found to lie deep within the valence band, with the shift of the Fermi level inside the valence band increasing with substitution increasing the carrier concentration. The incorporation of Ag into the system decreases the root mean squared displacement of the other cations and anions, which reduces the scattering of phonons and thereby increases the lattice thermal conductivity. A comparative study of various polymorphs of CTS, Cu2ZnSnS4 and Cu2ZnSnSe4 was done. Ab-initio molecular dynamics was performed on CTS, CZTS and CZTSe. The root mean squared displacement value for the disordered polymorph was higher than for the ordered phase, indicating increased static disorder. This corresponds to the static (temperature-independent) distortion of the crystalline lattice due to the disorder of the cations and is associated with higher anharmonicity and bond inhomogeneity in the disordered phase, which is then directly responsible for the ultra-low thermal conductivity. In the final part of the thesis, thermoelectric properties of dichalcogenide monolayer of SnS2, SnSe2 and Janus SnSSe was performed. Density functional theoretical calculations points out the hexagonal Janus SnSSe monolayer as a potential high-performing thermoelectric material. Results for the Janus SnSSe monolayer show an ultra-low thermal conductivity originating from the low group velocity of the low-lying optical modes, leading to superior zT values of 0.5 and 3 at 300 K and 700 K for the p-type doping, respectively. The successful calculation of properties for materials shows that the computational work done in this thesis can be used for further research into thermoelectricity.

Developments are made on the quantum Monte Carlo methods towards increasing the precision and the stability of the non fixed-node projector calculations of fermions. In the first part of the developments, the wavefunction correction scheme, which was developed to increase the precision of the diusion Monte Carlo (DMC) method, is applied to non fixed-node DMC to increase the precision of such fermion calculations which do not have nodal error. The benchmark calculations indicate a significant decrease of statistical error due to the usage of the correction scheme in such non fixed-node calculations. The second part of the developments is about the modifications of the wavefunction correction scheme for having a stable non fixed-node DMC algorithm for fermions. The minus signed walkers of the non fixed-node calculations are avoided by these modifications in the developed stable algorithm. However, the accuracy of the method decreases, especially for larger systems, as a result of the discussed modifications to overcome the sign instability.

Le dioxyde d'uranium (UO2) est le combustible nucléaire le plus largement répandu dans le monde pour alimenter les centrales nucléaires et plus particulièrement les réacteurs à eau pressurisée (REP). En réacteur, la fission des atomes d'uranium crée des produits de fission et des défauts ponctuels dans le matériau combustible. La compréhension de l'évolution de ces dégâts d'irradiation nécessite une approche de modélisation multi-échelle, de l'échelle de la pastille combustible à l'échelle atomique. Nous avons utilisé une méthode de calcul de structure électronique (DFT), pour modéliser les dégâts d'irradiation dans UO2 à l'échelle atomique. Un terme d'interaction Coulombienne de type Hubbard est ajouté au formalisme de la DFT standard pour prendre en compte les fortes corrélations des électrons 5f dans l'UO2. Cette méthode a été utilisée pour étudier les défauts ponctuels dans différents états de charge ainsi que l'incorporation et la diffusion du krypton dans le dioxyde d'uranium. Cette étude nous a permis d'obtenir des données clés pour les modèles aux échelles supérieures mais aussi pour interpréter des résultats expérimentaux. En parallèle de cette étude, trois pistes d'amélioration de l'état de l'art des calculs pour la description de l'UO2 ont été explorées : la prise en compte du couplage spin-orbite, l'application de fonctionnelles permettant la prise en compte des interactions non locales telles que les interactions de van der Waals importantes pour les gaz rares et l'utilisation de la théorie de champ dynamique moyen (Dynamical Mean Field Theory) combinée à la DFT afin de prendre en compte les corrélations dynamiques des électrons 5f. / Uranium dioxide (UO2) is worldwide the most widely used fuel in nuclear plants in the world and in particular in pressurized water reactors (PWR). In-pile the fission of uranium nuclei creates fission products and point defects in the fuel. The understanding of the evolution of these radiation damages requires a multi-scale modelling approach of the nuclear fuel, from the scale of the pellet to the atomic scale. We used an electronic structure calculation method based on the density functional theory (DFT) to model radiation damage in UO2 at the atomic scale. A Hubbard-type Coulomb interaction term is added to the standard DFT formalism to take into account the strong correlations of the 5f electrons in UO2. This method is used to study point defects with various charge states and the incorporation and diffusion of krypton in uranium dioxide. This study allowed us to obtain essential data for higher scale models but also to interpret experimental results. In parallel of this study, three ways to improve the state of the art of electronic structure calculations of UO2 have been explored: the consideration of the spin-orbit coupling neglected in current point defect calculations, the application of functionals allowing one to take into account the non-local interactions such as van der Waals interactions important for rare gases and the use of the Dynamical Mean Field Theory combined to the DFT method in order to take into account the dynamical effects in the 5f electron correlations.

Os estudos de modelagem molecular das interações entre ligantes baseado em oxindóis (isaepy, isapn, [Cu(isapn)]², isaenim e o SU9516) e as proteínas kinases dependentes de ciclina (CDK1 e CDK2) são apresentados neste trabalho. Uma inibição na atividade da CDK1 e CDK2, que catalisam a fosforilação de grupos específicos em proteínas, tem implicações na indução da apoptose celular. O objetivo é tentar determinar qual destes ligantes potencializa a inibição da síntese de ATP (adenosina trifosfato) em ADP (adenosina difosfato) no sítio ativo da CDK1 e CDK2 para, desta forma, induzir a apoptose de células cancerígenas. Os estudos realizados neste trabalho indicam que dentre os ligantes analisados, o isaepy e o isapn obtiveram melhores resultados de estabilidade e ligações de hidrogênio entre aminoácidos dentro do sítio. Analisamos a influência do íon Cu no aumento da eficácia do isapn na atividade inibitória (complexo [Cu(isapn)]²) e comparamos os resultados obtidos dos estudos do isapn e [Cu(isapn)]², quando inseridos no sítio de ligação do ATP da CDK1, com medidas de eletroforese em gel. Verificamos que os nossos resultados foram corroborados com as medidas de eletroforese. Também discutimos os resultados de cálculos de acoplamento hiperfino para o Cu no [Cu(isapn)]² em diferentes ambientes químicos e fizemos a comparação destes resultados com medidas de EPR. Desta forma, conseguimos verificar o ambiente químico do íon Cu e um aumento da estabilidade do isapn dentro do sítio estudado com a inserção do íon Cu. Este trabalho visa contribuir para a síntese de novos ligantes que aumentem a eficácia da inibição da síntese de ATP em ADP nas CDKs e também para a minimização dos custos através da diminuição da realização de experimentos que se baseiam em métodos de tentativa e erro. / Molecular modeling studies of the interaction of oxindol based ligands (isaepy, isapn [Cu(isapn)]²,isaenim and SU9516) with Cyclin Dependent Kinases proteins (CDK1 and CDK2) are presented here. CDK1 and CDK2 catalyze the phosphorylation of specific groups in proteins and inhibition of its activities implies in induction of cancer cells apoptosis. The goal is to determine which ligands increase the inhibition of ATP (adenosine triphosphate) into ADP (adenosine diphosphate) synthesis which occurs inside the CDK1 and CDK2 active site. We analyze the influence of the Cu ion on increasing the inhibitory activity in isapn ([Cu(isapn)]² metal complex). Comparisons between the results obtained from studies of the isapn and [Cu(isapn)]² inserted into the ATP binding site of CDK1 with measurements of gel electrophoresis were performed. The hyperfine coupling at Cu ion in [Cu(isapn)]² in different chemical environments are here obtained and the results are compared with EPR measurements. This work aims to contribute to the development of new ligands which increase the inhibition of the synthesis of ATP into ADP in the CDKs moreover we aim to assist in the reduction of the costs of measurements that are based on trial and error aproaches.